Speaker Goudy: — So yesterday the Government House Leader raised a point of order requesting that Bill No. 604 be removed from the order paper pursuant to rule 59(e) of the Rules and Procedures of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan. The Deputy Opposition House Leader asked that I review the matter before making my ruling.

As I have not yet had sufficient time to carefully consider all the matters related to this point of order, I will defer the ruling. So thank you very much for that.

ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS

INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Parks, Culture and Sport.

Hon. Alana Ross: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Request leave for an extended introduction.

Speaker Goudy: — The minister has requested leave for extended introduction. Is leave granted?

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Hon. Alana Ross: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, seated in the west gallery today, I’d like to introduce three very special guests from the Saskatchewan Riders football club. Craig Reynolds, the president of the Riders and CEO [chief executive officer] of the Riders; along with Arielle Zerr, director of communications; and Jennifer Senger, director of ticket operations, all seated in the west gallery.

Our government has had the pleasure of working with Craig and his team on a few exciting things recently, including the bid for the 2027 Grey Cup to be held right here in Regina and exploring the possibilities of tailgating events at Mosaic Stadium, something you’ll hear more about later today.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders have been more than just a team for our province. They’re a part of our identity. For more than a century the Roughriders have been part of the fabric of Saskatchewan and thanks to the hard work of everyone at the club, they continue to embody the pride, passion, and perseverance that defines our province.

With that said, I ask all members to please join me to extend a warm welcome to Craig, Arielle, and Jennifer to this, their Legislative Assembly. Thank you.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Saskatoon Stonebridge.

Darcy Warrington: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d just like to echo the comments of the minister in welcoming Craig Reynolds, president and CEO of the Saskatchewan Roughriders as well as his team, Arielle and Jenn. It’s been a real pleasure to live in a province where we can all rally behind the greatest team in the history of sport, and you do such fantastic work in attracting more and more fans to our game each and every day. I’m assuming there’s not many tickets left for the West final, but I encourage everyone to get out there and do so.

And I’m sure Craig had something to do with the Foo Fighters concert that came through. Thanks for that, Craig. They are the greatest band in the world, so everyone needs to get their tickets for that tomorrow as well.

Please help me in welcoming Craig Reynolds, Jenn, and Arielle to this, their Legislative Assembly.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Social Services.

Hon. Terry Jenson: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To you and through you this morning, I’d like to introduce three very special guests who are joining us on the floor of the Assembly this morning.

First I’d like to introduce Christina Martens-Funk, the CEO of Inclusion Saskatchewan. Christina is a chartered professional accountant with over 30 years of experience in the disability and inclusion areas. Her leadership continues to inspire inclusive communities across the province.

Joining Christina this morning is Char Eger, a self-advocate who has been involved with Inclusion Saskatchewan since 2019 and has joined the board of directors in 2023. She brings people together to drive strategic change, leads with People First Saskatchewan, and contributes to plain-language initiatives.

We’re also pleased to welcome Andrew Bennett. Andrew is the vice-president of Inclusion Saskatchewan, and he comes to us from the Biggar area.

Mr. Speaker, I ask all members to join me in welcoming Christina, Char, and Andrew to their Legislative Assembly. We’ll be sharing more about the important work Inclusion Saskatchewan does in a member statement in a few short moments. Thank you.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Saskatoon Southeast.

Brittney Senger: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to request leave for an extended introduction.

Speaker Goudy: — The member has requested leave for an extended introduction. Is leave granted?

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Brittney Senger: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to echo what the Minister of Social Services has said and extend a warm introduction to Inclusion Saskatchewan.

Inclusion Saskatchewan does phenomenal work. They do excellent advocacy around very important things such as inclusive employment, inclusive spaces, and very importantly right now, inclusive education.

I would like to extend the welcome to Christina Martens-Funk, the CEO. I would like to say Christina is more than just the CEO at Inclusion Saskatchewan. I would consider her a friend and somebody that I can contact any time if I have any questions about anything related to disabilities. And she is always very honest and provides me with excellent feedback that I do my best to put to use.

I’d like to also extend the introduction to Andrew Bennett and Char Eger, board members of Inclusion Saskatchewan. Inclusion Saskatchewan has been around for over 60 years, and I have to say I really admire the way that they execute their work by ensuring that they are self-advocates and include lived experiences. They truly embody “Nothing about us without us,” and that’s something that I really admire.

So I would like to ask all members to join me in welcoming Inclusion Saskatchewan to their Legislative Assembly and congratulate them on their very valuable work. Thank you.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Kindersley-Biggar.

Kim Gartner: — Mr. Speaker, to you and through you, it’s not very often I get to have someone come down travelling five hours to come see me, today so I would like also to recognize Andrew Bennett who is here travelling today with Inclusion Saskatchewan. Andrew and I have had some fantastic conversations about his hopes and his dreams for his daughter Samaire. And I would ask all members also to join with me in welcoming the board members, and especially Andrew, to this, his Legislative Assembly.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Saskatoon Meewasin.

Nathaniel Teed: — I request leave for an extended introduction.

Speaker Goudy: — Member has requested leave for an extended introduction. Is leave granted?

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Nathaniel Teed: — Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. To you and through you, I’d like to welcome a number of teachers, parents, social workers, and CUPE [Canadian Union of Public Employees] Saskatchewan members who are seated in your gallery today here. Welcome them to their Legislative Assembly.

Joining us from CUPE Saskatchewan today are Katrina Powers, Cindy Landrie, Linden Hall, Jessica Boyer, and Michelle Hamel, all members of CUPE’s committee against racism and discrimination. And they are joined today by community members and teachers and social workers and parents. We are joined by Nick Day, a teacher here in Regina who’s no stranger to some members in our Chamber; Moravia de la O; Jeralyne Manweiler; Dmitry Ciocea; and Rebecca Granovsky-Larsen.

These folks have come to their Legislative Assembly today after collecting hundreds of signatures on petitions calling for the government to repeal Bill 137. I want to thank them for their tireless advocacy in our community, continuing to raise awareness about the dangers of this bill.

I will be presenting their petition today and speaking about this in a member’s statement, but I would ask all members to join me in welcoming them to their Legislative Assembly.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Weyburn-Bengough.

Michael Weger: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’m super excited today. I have my first school group to introduce to the legislature. Seated up in the west gallery we have 13 students from Milestone School along with their teacher Jesse Braden.

And so I’m so happy to have them. Looking forward to meeting with them after question period and getting to hopefully answer some tough questions from some students. Our students are our future, Mr. Speaker, so I would ask all of our members to welcome them to their Legislative Assembly.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Regina Coronation Park.

Noor Burki: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To you, through you, I would like to welcome 27 students of grade 12 from Thom Collegiate school, which is located in my constituency, Regina Coronation Park. Mr. Speaker, this group of students are accompanied by their teacher, incredible teacher, Ms. Howlett. Thank you, Ms. Howlett, for bringing your class to this Legislative Assembly.

Mr. Speaker, Thom Collegiate school is a semestered comprehensive French immersion high school, encompassing grade 9 to grade 12. I’m really having a great memory with this school because I was the driver educator for this school for 14 years. And that is one of the fastest growing schools and very diverse and we have a lot of expectation from this school.

So after question period, I will be taking their hard and fast questions. Sometimes they have asked smart questions as well. But I’m not worried much about that; they normally ask a question that I can answer them.

With that I will request all the members in this Assembly to make sure we can give them a warm welcome to their Legislative Assembly and wish you a better life and better future in the future, okay.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Saskatoon Silverspring.

Hugh Gordon: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s an honour to be on my feet today to make an introduction to two people in our east gallery. And to you and through you, I would like to introduce everyone to Lee Engemoen and his wife, Barb.

Lee is a mechanical engineer at Brandt Industries and his wife, Barb, is an insurance broker — right? — at Cherry Insurance in Saskatoon. They’re visiting us on their way back home, a trip from Winnipeg. And I just want to say, you know, I got to know Lee last year during the election campaign. He became essentially my right-hand man on the doorsteps of Saskatoon Silverspring.

He was so dedicated and put in such a great effort. It was so awesome I was able to rely on a person like him and many other volunteers. And then fortunately after, you know, a positive election result in our riding, Lee decided to take the plunge and become the secretary for the Saskatoon Silverspring NDP [New Democratic Party] executive.

And so with that I want to thank Lee and his wife for coming here, and I ask all members in this Assembly to welcome them to their Legislative Assembly.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Regina Elphinstone-Centre.

Meara Conway: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just wanted to pop up here and introduce the newest member of the official opposition: Maeve Siobhán Day Conway. She weighed in at an impressive seventeen and a half pounds this week. She’s four months old, top of her class for her height and weight. We’re having a lot of fun with her.

Yeah, she was almost born in the elevator of the Regina General Hospital. I want to thank the incredible team that helped out when she was born, including our family doctor, Candina Beaurivage, who was incredible.

And yeah, I’m going to be maybe taking her here from time to time, but mainly she’s going be hanging out with her dad at home. And just wanted to bring her in and introduce her to everyone. We’re both going to be continuing to do good work, taking names.

And I want to thank everyone for the help that they gave me while I was off for the four months, especially to the members from Regina Walsh Acres and Saskatoon Churchill, who did everything Health in my absence. And I want to thank my colleagues for all their support through all of this. And yeah, this is Maeve.

PRESENTING PETITIONS

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Regina Coronation Park.

Noor Burki: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise to present a petition to the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan to implement rent control.

We, the undersigned residents of the province of Saskatchewan, wish to bring to your attention the following: Saskatchewan leads the nation in average rent increases; Saskatchewan’s average rent has continued to increase, rising by 4 per cent last year; average rent in Regina has gone up 3.9 per cent last year; average rent in Saskatoon has gone up 5.4 per cent last year; rent control would protect tenants from excessive and unreasonable rent increases; British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Prince Edward Island all have implemented rent control.

[10:15]

We, in the prayer that reads as follows, respectfully request the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan to call on the Government of Saskatchewan to immediately protect tenants and implement rent control.

Mr. Speaker, the signatures of this petition reside in Regina. I do so present.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Saskatoon Stonebridge.

Darcy Warrington: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to present our petition calling for equity in education for students with disabilities.

The undersigned residents would like to bring to our attention the following: that in 2023 the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission conducted a review of the policies, programs, and funding models to provide targeted supports for students living with dyslexia; that learning can be impaired by many things beyond dyslexia, including autism, ADHD [attention deficit hyperactivity disorder], FASD [fetal alcohol spectrum disorder], dysgraphia, deafness and hard of hearing, blindness and visual impairment, mental health challenges, intellectual disabilities, physical disabilities, and more; that access to education is a right under The Saskatchewan Human Rights Code, and an untold number of students across Saskatchewan are being denied access to their human right of an education; that parents and teachers and families across Saskatchewan have been calling for increased classroom supports to meet the growing demand of increasingly large and complex classrooms.

I’ll read the prayer:

We, in the prayer that reads as follows, respectfully request the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan to call on the Government of Saskatchewan to immediately work with the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission to conduct an in-depth review of our public education system specifically around the policies, programs, and funding models designed to support children living with disabilities in our public education system.

Mr. Speaker, this petition has been signed by citizens from Esteven, Regina, and Saskatoon. I do so present.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Saskatoon Meewasin.

Nathaniel Teed: — Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I’m proud to be on my feet to present a petition to this Legislative Assembly calling for the repeal of Bill 137.

Mr. Speaker, the undersigned residents of the province of Saskatchewan wish to bring to your attention the following: that Bill 137 directs educators to non-consensually out two-spirit, trans, and nonbinary students under the age of 16 to their parents; that Bill 137 is in direct contravention of The Saskatchewan Human Rights Code, the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and the UN [United Nations] rights of the child; that Bill 137 was developed without direct or public consultation from communities of educators, parents, students, or experts.

Mr. Speaker, the teachers, social workers, education workers, and CUPE members see first-hand the devastating effects of this bill, and I want to thank them for the work that they’ve done collecting hundreds of signatures calling for the repeal of this bill.

We, in the prayer that reads as follows, respectfully request that the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan call on the Government of Saskatchewan to immediately repeal Bill 137 and ensure that all 2SLGBTQ+ students are supported and protected in accordance with The Saskatchewan Human Rights Code.

Mr. Speaker, the signatories reside in Langham, Herbert, Saskatoon, and Regina. I do so present.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Regina Wascana Plains.

Brent Blakley: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise in the Assembly today to present a petition to call on the Saskatchewan government to take immediate action to stand up for Indigenous children and all vulnerable students by advocating for the full restoration of funding previously supported by Jordan’s principle.

Jordan’s principle was established to ensure that First Nations children have equitable access to the services they need, including supports in school. The recent loss of this federal funding will leave a significant gap in Saskatchewan classrooms, especially for Indigenous students who rely on inclusive education supports to thrive. Funding cuts by the federal government have led to the layoff of 80 educational assistants from Saskatoon Public Schools, with more funding shortfalls expected this fall.

Instead of stepping up to fill this gap, the 2025‑26 provincial budget reduces education funding, budgeting $4.4 billion less than what was actually spent the previous year. This is an alarming move at a time when our schools are already stretched to the breaking point due to chronic underfunding and short-staffing.

The prayer reads as follows:

We respectfully request the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan stand up for Saskatchewan and advocate for restoration of federal Jordan’s principle funding to support Indigenous students in schools; commit to sustainable, predictable, and equitable provincial funding for inclusive education across Saskatchewan; and ensure education support workers have the resources and staffing they need to keep classrooms safe and support every student’s learning journey.

Mr. Speaker, the signatories today reside in Prince Albert, Meadow Lake, and Regina. I do so present.

STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Cumberland.

Brave Efforts of Northerners during Wildfire Season

Jordan McPhail: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The 2025 wildfire season was a devastating time for the people in northern Saskatchewan. The threat and impact of these fires were felt in every single community across my constituency. At one point, nearly 90 per cent of residents in the Cumberland constituency were evacuees, forced to flee their homes and communities, travelling through thick smoke and along roads that had flames higher than the treetops. Tragically hundreds of homes were lost.

This wildfire season would have been worse if it had not been for the bravery and dedication of the men and women who answered the call. Firefighters, support staff, truck drivers, nurses, doctors, paramedics, cooks, pilots, mechanics, police officers, and local businesses stayed behind — put themselves in danger — to ensure a coordinated effort to protect our communities. At points throughout this summer, we had air tankers from Quebec, members of the Canadian Armed Forces, and international firefighters from many places around North America and the world.

I want to thank local northern First Nations, municipal, and Métis governments for their steadfast leadership, their ability to stay calm under pressure, and for reaching out and trusting our office to stand up for you this summer.

On behalf of the people of northern Saskatchewan and from the bottom of my heart, I thank you. And a special shout-out to the community fire teams of Nemeiben, Wadin Bay, Eagle Point, and Pelican Narrows. We are grateful for your remarkable service, and I thank you.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Dakota-Arm River.

Community Inclusion Month

Barret Kropf: — Mr. Speaker, October is Community Inclusion Month in Saskatchewan, a time to recognize, to celebrate the strengths, talents and achievements of people with intellectual disabilities, as well as the families and organizations that support them. For more than 60 years Inclusion Saskatchewan has supported thousands of individuals and families through advocacy, public education, employment supports, youth programs, and family workshops.

Mr. Speaker, Community Inclusion Month is about reaffirming our shared responsibility to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to succeed. Our government is proud to work with Inclusion Saskatchewan and community-based organizations across the province as we work to build a Saskatchewan where everyone belongs, regardless of ability.

Mr. Speaker, I invite all members to join me in recognizing October as Community Inclusion Month and in thanking Inclusion Saskatchewan for their outstanding leadership and ongoing commitment to the disability sector. Thank you.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Regina Northeast.

Women’s Health Care

Jacqueline Roy: — Merci, monsieur le Président.

[Translation: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.]

Women are breaking under the weight of a system that is supposed to be carrying them. Somewhere in Saskatchewan today a woman is waiting for an MRI [magnetic resonance imaging] because she might have MS [multiple sclerosis], which disproportionately affects women. Or endometriosis with its terrible pain, yet takes an average of seven years to diagnose and affects 1 in 10 women.

Or osteoporosis, where 80 per cent of cases are women, and a single hip fracture can mean death within one year for a senior. Her breast biopsy or mammogram has yet again been delayed. Depression, anxiety, PTSD [post-traumatic stress disorder] — all far more common in women, and our mental health wards are always full or at capacity.

Nurses warn us constantly that delivery wards are dangerously understaffed. One in five women faces a mental health problem before, during, or after her pregnancy, and yet there’s nowhere left to go in this province. A shortage of family physicians and specialists means delays for menopause care and for life-saving — life-saving — ovarian cancer screenings, and so much more. Two-thirds of people with Alzheimer’s are now women, but good luck getting into a neurologist on time.

Let’s call this what it is, Mr. Speaker. This is a women’s mental health crisis and a women’s health care crisis. Mothers, daughters, sisters, best friends. We must do better. This is the birth place of medicare after all.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Cut Knife-Turtleford.

Elk Ranchers Leaders in the Industry

James Thorsteinson: — Well thank you, Mr. Speaker. This past spring, Gord and Karen Lacoursiere, owners of Big Rack Ranching in Delmas, were featured in an episode of Flat Out Food on Citytv.

Mr. Speaker, Gord Lacoursiere grew up on the family farm where his grandparents originally resided, and where he and his wife raised their family and continue to live today. Gord and his wife, Karen, have been raising elk for 25 years and today manage a herd of approximately 120 elk. The Lacoursieres say demand for elk is growing. Gord and Karen are selling elk meat into restaurants, using elk antlers in the medicine industry, shipping elk product overseas, and run an online store.

Mr. Speaker, the Lacoursieres take excellent care of their herd, providing them oats and minerals to ensure they remain strong and healthy. Elk are a native North American species and manage the cold winters here in Saskatchewan very well. Mr. Speaker, the elk being raised at Big Rack Ranching are extremely quiet and can even be fed by hand.

Mr. Speaker, I ask all members to join me in congratulating Gord and Karen Lacoursiere on their very successful elk ranch, and thank them for such an important part of the elk industry here in Saskatchewan. Thank you.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Saskatoon Meewasin.

LGBTQ History Month and Bill 137

Nathaniel Teed: — Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. October is LGBTQ [lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and/or questioning] History Month, recognized around the world to commemorate the history and progress of the gay rights movement.

As we conclude this month of reflection, I rise once again to call out the unconstitutional and dangerous Bill 137. This legislation forces teachers to non-consensually out queer and trans students to their parents, regardless of the students’ safety, and further harms youth by banning third-party sexual health providers from teaching consent, bodily autonomy, and sexual health.

The Sask Party government pushed Bill 137 through without consultation or consideration of its dangerous implications on queer and trans youth in the province. Since its passing, I’ve heard troubling reports of increased harassment and discrimination targeting members of our community.

We know that queer youth, particularly those exploring their gender identity, face higher risks of negative mental health outcomes when they are not affirmed in a safe and supportive environment. Bill 137 sent a devastating message to the world that Saskatchewan is not a safe place for queer people.

Today we are joined by CUPE Saskatchewan members, parents, teachers, and social workers who are once again calling on this government to do the right thing and repeal Bill 137. I ask all members to join me in applauding the advocacy of groups like CUPE Saskatchewan for defending the human rights of all people, especially the most vulnerable. Thank you.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Cypress Hills.

Maple Creek Bull Rider to Compete in National Championship

Doug Steele: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to take a minute here this morning and recognize one of them cowboys from the Southwest, Jared Parsonage. He’s been riding bulls for many years over the past, a bull rider through and through.

The past weekend in Saskatoon, Jared rode three-for-three to become . . . first place across the country in North America. His great performance in the Ottawa Classic in June landed him his ranking as no. 3 in the PBR [Professional Bull Riders]. And after the great win over the weekend, he is now ranked no. 1 in the race for the 2025 PBR championship.

This 32‑year-old thrill-seeker has become a fan favourite down in the Southwest and across Canada. Jared was quoted saying, “If you don’t ride ’em, you don’t win.” And bull riding is just what that is.

Parsonage will now have his three-week break before he goes into the PBR final championship in Edmonton. Please help me cheer him on and wish him all the best in the PBR championship finals. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

[10:30]

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Canora-Pelly.

Couple’s Land Donation Reflects Commitment to Conservation

Sean Wilson: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I wish to highlight an inspiring act of generosity in my constituency of Canora-Pelly. Edgar and Doreen Thorsen from Preeceville have devoted their entire lives to farming. Recently they made a remarkable decision to donate five quarters of land valued at approximately $1 million to the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation’s Habitat Trust, leaving a powerful legacy for future generations.

The Thorsen property is a remarkable addition to the fund. The abundance of wildlife on these quarters is a true gem for conservation. This donation represents one of the largest parcels of land received by the fund located northwest of Preeceville.

Mr. Thorsen’s vision is to preserve the land for wildlife, protecting it for the future. His commitment to safeguarding this cherished land for future generations through a conservation group reflects his deep love for the environment. Mr. Thorsen embodies the spirit of leaving a lasting wildlife legacy and believes that the legacy we leave for our children should be even better than what we received.

This August the Kelsey Ecological Society celebrated with Mr. Thorsen, his wife, and nearly 30 members during a tour of the SWF [Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation] land trust. A big thank you to Mr. and Mrs. Thorsen for this wonderful donation.

QUESTION PERIOD

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Leader of the Opposition.

Health Care Staffing and Support for Health Care Workers

Carla Beck: — Mr. Speaker, this Premier and his Health minister seem to live in an alternate reality. Yesterday we saw them standing to congratulate themselves while workers on the front line who are living paycheque to paycheque watched. We heard from one of those workers, Jessica, an LPN [licensed practical nurse] who told us yesterday she’s already past her breaking point. And she told us about co-workers who have already left the health care system, not only to protect their own mental health, but because they can earn more stocking shelves in their local communities.

Mr. Speaker, we’ve heard from others who’ve survived their shift on the front lines in our overrun health care system, only to stop at the food bank on the way home. No wage increase in three years, no contract in sight, Mr. Speaker, and no respect for these health care workers. What does the Premier have to say to them?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Premier.

Hon. Scott Moe: — Mr. Speaker, we’ve spoken on the floor of this Assembly many times with respect to the challenge that is, albeit not exclusive to Saskatchewan, certainly is a challenge in Saskatchewan communities, and that is the recruitment and retention of health care workers across our nation, Mr. Speaker.

That’s why we have seen, over the course of the last number of years, the introduction and funding of the most ambitious health human resource plan in the nation, Mr. Speaker, which is seeing results — over 300 physicians practising in our communities, over 1,000 nurses, Mr. Speaker.

But there’s more work to do, Mr. Speaker. There’s more work to do on recruiting people and retaining those front-line health care workers in communities right across Saskatchewan, Mr. Speaker, ensuring that we have the incentives in the right places to fill the service gaps that we currently have.

Mr. Speaker, there’s more work to do as well as we look to expand the scope of everyone that is working in our health care sector, Mr. Speaker, so that they can work at a full scope of practice. And there’s more work to do on innovative ways to ensure that we are supporting those front-line services and the people that are offering those services, Mr. Speaker, like urgent care centres, like virtual health care.

Supporting our front-line health care workers, Mr. Speaker, is going to ensure that they can show up to work each and every day and put patients first throughout the province.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Leader of the Opposition.

Implementation of Administrative Information Management System

Carla Beck: — Mr. Speaker, right on cue, more platitudes but zero action to fix health care and to get those health care workers a fair wage. It’s shameful. This government refuses to invest in those health care workers that they claim to care about, but they waste $250 million and counting on their faulty AIMS [administrative information management system] system, Mr. Speaker.

Clearly there are widespread issues with that system: scheduling, ordering basic supplies, and payroll. That’s right, Mr. Speaker. Not only do health care workers not get paid a fair wage, sometimes they don’t get paid at all. That’s because of this government’s AIMS fiasco.

Will the Premier admit that this program’s rollout has been an absolute disaster since day one, and will he either fix it immediately or scrap it? These workers, Mr. Speaker, need to get paid.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Health.

Hon. Jeremy Cockrill: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. You know, it’s important to note, first of all, the decision made yesterday and announced yesterday to pull back from the time validation and scheduling aspect of AIMS, that comes directly from feedback that we heard from front-line health care workers who are having challenges with that particular system.

And, Mr. Speaker, it is absolutely important and this government absolutely believes that we need to make sure that our health care workers are paid on time, paid accurately. And that is exactly why we made the decision yesterday to pull back from that.

But, Mr. Speaker, the AIMS project is much larger than time validation and scheduling; replaced already over 74 legacy systems, Mr. Speaker. I compared it yesterday, Mr. Speaker, it would be like us running Windows 95 on our computers. Some of these legacy systems are over 50 years old. They needed to be replaced, Mr. Speaker. We will continue to work with the AIMS team to make sure that we get it right and get our health care workers paid correctly and on time.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Leader of the Opposition.

Inquiry into Government’s Wildfire Response

Carla Beck: — Mr. Speaker, more on the theme of out of touch. Every day this Premier and his Public Safety minister have failed the people of Denare who have lost so much during this past summer’s wildfire crisis. Each day they have refused to agree to a truly independent inquiry so that we can get to the bottom of what happened this summer and so that it never happens again to any community.

Now we have the Denare Beach Council issuing a public statement saying that it is extremely disappointed about the Sask Party’s refusal to call this inquiry. Clearly, Mr. Speaker, trust with the people of the North has been lost.

Why won’t this Premier call that public inquiry into his government’s mismanagement this summer?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety.

Hon. Tim McLeod: — Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. The Saskatchewan people, especially those who were tragically impacted and lost their homes by the fires this summer, deserve answers about what happened this fire season. And that is why the SPSA [Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency] has commissioned Meyers Norris Penny to lead an independent review, Mr. Speaker, not an internal review like the opposition keep incorrectly stating. It’s an independent review of the 2025 wildfire season. This will be the first of its kind in Saskatchewan and the results of those, the result . . .

[Interjections]

Speaker Goudy: — Please, when the minister is giving an answer, let’s listen respectfully.

Hon. Tim McLeod: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The opposition will be pleased to know that the results of that review will be made public, Mr. Speaker. It will include opportunities for the people that were directly impacted by the wildfires to share their experiences and their perspectives, Mr. Speaker. It will be a comprehensive review — again, the results of which will be made public — and it will cover the evacuations, the recovery efforts, and the fire response, Mr. Speaker.

Meyers Norris Penny is led by experts in this area. They have been used in British Columbia, Alberta, Northwest Territories, and again we will rely on that expertise for our review.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Leader of the Opposition.

Carla Beck: — The Public Safety minister seems to think that the problem is that the people of Denare do not understand what he is proposing. That is not the problem. The problem is they have rejected it and then called for an independent, truly independent, public inquiry. That’s what he’s refusing to do, Mr. Speaker.

Now we have the Denare Beach Council saying that a full public inquiry, not the one he’s talking about, Mr. Speaker, would be the appropriate response. They say that people of that community need assurances that the mistakes that have been made will be acknowledged and that more will be done to protect their communities and communities like theirs, Mr. Speaker.

The Denare residents who joined us in the legislature all week say that they no longer have trust in that Public Safety minister to get the job done. They say that he’s told them things that are false, and that he’s made commitments that never came to be. Mr. Speaker, as I said, trust has been broken.

My question to the Premier: why has he refused to fire that Public Safety minister?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety.

Hon. Tim McLeod: — Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have met with the community leadership in Denare Beach. My colleagues — the Minister of Government Relations, the Minister of Environment, and the Premier — have met with the community leadership in Denare Beach, Mr. Speaker. We have spoken with them about the response. We have spoken with them about the recovery efforts. And we have spoken with them about moving forward on a path together, making sure that we rebuild that community together with them so that they have the confidence that that situation will not be repeated, Mr. Speaker.

We will work together with them. We set up the resilience centre for them, so that anybody who has experienced a tragic loss has the mental health supports, has their questions answered, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we will continue to walk alongside that community leadership as they rebuild, with unprecedented investments from this government, making sure again that they have the confidence that they can rebuild that community with the full support of this government. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Regina Walsh Acres.

Sharing of Information Regarding Rural Emergency Department Closures

Jared Clarke: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Between February of 2018 and July of 2019 — so, 18 months — Saskatchewan Health Authority reported 86 hospital closures. Then between November 2023 and May of 2025 — 18 months — that number shot up to 643 hospital closures. That’s nearly a 800 per cent increase. Hundreds of these closures have involved rural emergency rooms.

Does the minister believe in 2025 the general public should be notified electronically in real time about emergency room closures? I mean, this information could save people’s lives.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Health.

Hon. Jeremy Cockrill: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’d like to direct the member opposite to a news release from the Saskatchewan Health Authority from about 40 minutes ago titled, “SHA introduces new notification process for emergency room disruptions.” Mr. Speaker, that news release is now available on the Saskatchewan Health Authority website for that member to look at and understand our new process, Mr. Speaker.

I have heard directly from community members and community leaders across the province this summer that there was frustrations around the notification process for disruptions, Mr. Speaker. This is why I tasked the Saskatchewan Health Authority with coming up with a new process. That process has now been announced today, and I invite the member opposite to take a look. Thank you.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Regina Walsh Acres.

Jared Clarke: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We know that many, many people in rural Saskatchewan are turning up to rural emergency rooms to find a note on the door telling them that that hospital is closed and that they need to go elsewhere.

I’m grateful to hear that Saskatchewan people will be receiving notification of these things. But I do want more details from the minister. So at what point will people in rural Saskatchewan know that their hospital is closed?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Health.

Hon. Jeremy Cockrill: — Mr. Speaker, I’ll quote from the news release from about 45 minutes ago:

Once activated in early November, the SHA’s new service disruption reporting process will provide patients in rural Saskatchewan with an alphabetic listing of all SHA facilities experiencing disruptions to emergency services, updated daily at 4 p.m.

Thank you.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Regina Elphinstone-Centre.

Incidents in Seniors’ Care Homes

Meara Conway: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This minister is failing when it comes to rural emergency room closures, and the Sask Party is failing seniors across this province as well.

Two weeks ago, 86‑year-old William Cone, an Alzheimer’s patient, moved into an SHA [Saskatchewan Health Authority] care home in Saskatoon. The family had to fight to get him into this facility, Mr. Speaker. His wife just couldn’t handle William any more on her own. He was known to wander. Thirty-six hours later he wandered out of that home, he fell, and he broke his hip.

He was taken to hospital but, despite the doctors’ best efforts, he died a week later. And earlier this week Bailie Smith, his granddaughter, said:

My grandma couldn’t do it on her own anymore. We, the family, helped as much as we could, but it was just becoming too much. We put him in the Saskatchewan Health Authority’s care thinking that was the right move. It blew up our lives.

Health care workers have been sounding the alarm about the problems in seniors’ care for years, Mr. Speaker. How can this happen in Saskatchewan’s health care system?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Seniors.

Hon. Lori Carr: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I truly am disheartened to hear about this family’s loss and I extend my condolences to them, Mr. Speaker.

This situation is completely unacceptable. The SHA is aware of this and it has been deemed a critical incident. It is being looked into, and the results of that will come to us. And if anything needs to change with the facility because of any shortcomings, we will absolutely fix those immediately, Mr. Speaker. So I look forward to the results of that investigation.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Regina Elphinstone-Centre.

Meara Conway: — Mr. Speaker, the minister’s condolences won’t bring William Cone back, just like they wouldn’t bring back William Hastie.

Last spring we brought in Mr. Hastie’s granddaughters who told us how he’d wandered out of his care home, Mr. Speaker. It was February. William Hastie froze to death on a sidewalk. These are the seniors that built this province, Mr. Speaker. It’s completely unacceptable.

[10:45]

After the death of William Hastie, why did the minister not take action and allow this to happen a second time? And what will she do to make sure that it doesn’t happen a third?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Seniors.

Hon. Lori Carr: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I do appreciate the question. As I said, situations like this are unacceptable. And when the investigations are done, if changes need to take place, then absolutely we take the steps, the Saskatchewan Health Authority takes the steps to ensure that changes are made, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, we have a review process, an inspection process that happens with long-term care facilities across the province on a regular basis. Sometimes those are surprise inspections on those facilities. So we do have mechanisms in place to look at maybe shortcomings within those facilities. And if any suggestions are made, things need to be changed, then we absolutely do that.

Once again, this is unacceptable. When you put your loved one in care, you expect that they should be taken of, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Saskatoon University-Sutherland.

Supports for Post-Secondary Institutions

Tajinder Grewal: — Mr. Speaker, for 18 years that Sask Party government has starved the post-secondary sector. Now the sector is in crisis. Sask Poly has been forced to lay off 128 people so far. Programs and campus services have seen cut after cut.

Earlier this week, that minister said that the post-secondary schools have a bright future during this crisis. It doesn’t look like a bright future when people are being laid off. What’s the minister doing to stop these cuts?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Advanced Education.

Hon. Ken Cheveldayoff: — Thank you very much to the member for the question. And I’ll remind the members on both sides of the House that this government always puts our students first.

We continue to ensure that our institutions are amongst the most well funded in the entire country. They are respected. Members know the U of S [University of Saskatchewan], the U of R [University of Regina], Sask Poly, SIIT [Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies], our regional colleges are looked to as examples across the country.

Yes, there are some challenges. And as the member knows or should know, they are the making of the federal government. There’s not an institution in the country that isn’t facing these challenges, but I have the confidence in the leadership of those institutions to take those challenges head-on and to make sure that our students are well served. I’ll have much more to say about this next week, and I encourage all members just to stay tuned.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Saskatoon University-Sutherland.

Tajinder Grewal: — No answer from the minister. Dozens and dozens of people have already lost their jobs. For many their last day of employment is the day before Christmas. People across the sector are worried that, after 18 years of this Sask Party government, more layoffs are coming and they could be the next.

I will ask the question again. What’s the minister going to do to stop these layoffs in post-secondary?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Advanced Education.

Hon. Ken Cheveldayoff: — It’s always a pleasure to stand in this House and talk about advanced education. Whether it’s the students, the institutions, again they are well funded. They are examples that we hold high across the country.

As a government, we see them as partners. And back in 2021, the institutions came to our government and said they wanted multi-year funding. What happened? We had long discussions and came up with the program, a historic program, one that was well received by the institutions, by the students, and I think by members opposite as well, that multi-year funding is the way to go.

A year ago we were faced with the challenge of putting a new program in place. In light of the geopolitical nature of what was happening in the world, we didn’t put a new program in place. We extended it by one year, and that was well received. And again, in a very few short days, we’ll have an opportunity to talk about the very good future in the province here.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Saskatoon University-Sutherland.

Tajinder Grewal: — It’s hard to overstate how dire Sask Poly’s situation is. Michelle Downton, president of the Saskatchewan Polytechnic Faculty Association, says uncertainty remains about the future of the four-campus model.

Faculty are scared that after 18 years of Sask Party neglect, one or more campuses may be forced to shut down entirely. Does the minister intend to shut down the Moose Jaw campus or any other Sask Poly campus?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Advanced Education.

Hon. Ken Cheveldayoff: — Absolutely not, Mr. Speaker. And you know, I’ve been polite in my answers here as well, but I want to remind members on that side of the House as well because members on this side know it well. Under 18 years of NDP government in this province, tuition rates have gone up from 1991 to 2007 by 228 per cent, Mr. Speaker.

They don’t like to talk about their record. They don’t like when I bring it up, but certainly, you know, that’s the situation that . . .

[Interjections]

Speaker Goudy: — Order. I’m just going to make a comment too on the calling of “shame” from both sides to the other. I don’t know if “shame” is one of the words that we want to be just casting back and forth.

Minister of Advanced Education, please continue.

Hon. Ken Cheveldayoff: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. You know, respectfully though, members opposite — and they know it well — they did not put advanced education in their election platform one year ago. Not one word about it. It wasn’t a priority. Mr. Speaker, with all due respect, advanced education is part of the growth plan. It’s essential to this government and to the growth that we see.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Regina South Albert.

Energy Security and Removal of Carbon Tax

Aleana Young: — Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. You know, later today we’re going to be voting on the Sask Party government’s Speech from the Throne, a Speech from the Throne that absolutely begs the federal government for the carbon tax. It mentions the Premier’s Strong Saskatchewan, Strong Canada plan actions that include, and I’ll quote, “Transferring responsibility for the output-based pricing system for heavy emitters to the provinces.”

Now, Mr. Speaker, if Prime Minister Carney gives the Sask Party what they’re begging for in his budget next week, what is the Sask Party going to do with those carbon tax dollars that they are so thirsty for?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Crown Investments Corp.

Hon. Jeremy Harrison: — Well thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. And I am proud that Saskatchewan is the only carbon tax-free province in the entirety of Canada, Mr. Speaker. That was a decision taken by this government, Mr. Speaker, despite the fact that the opposition have been very strong supporters of that carbon tax all the way along, Mr. Speaker. In fact they called for that tax to be implemented on day one. They were huge supporters of Justin Trudeau’s carbon tax as we went forward, Mr. Speaker. This government made a . . .

[Interjections]

Speaker Goudy: — Please, when the questions are being asked, let’s show some order of civility here back and forth.

Minister.

Hon. Jeremy Harrison: — Well thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. As I said, we are very proud that this province is the very first and the only carbon tax-free province in the entirety of this country, Mr. Speaker. That was a decision taken by this government. We removed the carbon tax from SaskPower bills, which members and residents would have seen starting April 1st of this year, Mr. Speaker.

And I think what the members opposite are demanding is that carbon tax be returned to SaskPower bills, Mr. Speaker. That’s something we’re not going to do. That’s something we’ve been very strong on, Mr. Speaker, despite the calls from the opposition.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Regina South Albert.

Aleana Young: — You know, Mr. Speaker, I’d invite that minister to point to what legislative or regulatory mechanism his government used to get rid of the carbon tax, but he can’t because they haven’t.

And now it’s hard to keep up with the Sask Party government’s tango with their very own carbon tax because at budget time this government planned for $431 million of revenue from their very own carbon tax. But then a couple weeks, they said it was cancelled. But then they told us in Q1 [first quarter] that they are planning for even more carbon tax revenue — $466 million from this allegedly cancelled carbon tax.

And now, Mr. Speaker, in the Throne Speech again the Sask Party government is asking the feds for control over the Sask Party carbon tax. What is the point of asking for control of something they say is cancelled?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Crown Investments Corporation.

Hon. Jeremy Harrison: — Thank you. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. And I’m very proud that this was the government that removed the federal carbon tax from our SaskPower bills, despite calls from the opposition again today to return it to the SaskPower bills, Mr. Speaker. I’m also very proud of the fact that this government came forward with an energy security strategy that’s going to keep our power rates reliable and affordable.

Their plan, on the other hand, Mr. Speaker, would see a doubling of power rates. They would shut down all of our coal-fired power generation immediately, Mr. Speaker . . .

[Interjections]

Speaker Goudy: — Okay. My, I don’t know. Yesterday I made a comment about . . . And could we stop the clock just for a second because I don’t . . . But “untrue,” there’s times to use “that was untrue.” But I hear comments being made that . . . Let’s show decorum in this place, please.

Minister, continue.

Hon. Jeremy Harrison: — Well thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. And I am very proud of the energy security strategy that this party and this government have put forward that will see reliable and affordable power continue into the future here in Saskatchewan.

And that’s going to include us continuing and life-extending the coal-fired power facilities that we have here in Saskatchewan, something that the opposition have called for the immediate shutdown of. Removing 1500 megawatts of power from our grid, putting 1,100 people out of work tomorrow, Mr. Speaker, and devastating two communities — that is something that we’re not going to do. And we’re very proud of our plan going forward.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Regina Douglas Park.

Addressing Interpersonal Violence

Nicole Sarauer: — Mr. Speaker, Saskatchewan has the highest rates of intimate partner violence in Canada. This has been the case for years now, 18 years under this Sask Party government. This shouldn’t be in a province as wealthy as Saskatchewan.

This inaction is costing women and children their lives. When will we see a provincial strategy from this Sask Party government to get us out of last place in intimate partner violence?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of the Status of Women.

Hon. Alana Ross: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there is no place for violence of any type in our province, and we recognize that gender-based violence is a problem in our society. Our government continues to work alongside community stakeholders and advocates to partner and make investments towards reducing interpersonal and sexual violence. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

Bill No. 28 — The Public Libraries Amendment Act, 2025

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Education.

Hon. Everett Hindley: — Mr. Speaker, I move that Bill No. 28, The Public Libraries Amendment Act, 2025 be now introduced and read a first time.

Speaker Goudy: — It has been moved by the Minister of Education that Bill No. 28, The Public Libraries Amendment Act, 2025 be now introduced and read a first time. Is it the pleasure of the Assembly to adopt the motion?

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Speaker Goudy: — Carried.

Principal Clerk: — First reading of this bill.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Education.

Hon. Everett Hindley: — Next sitting of the Assembly, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker Goudy: — Next sitting.

Bill No. 29 — The Tailgating Act/Loi sur les rassemblements d’avant-match

Hon. Alana Ross: — Mr. Speaker, I move that Bill No. 29, The Tailgating Act, bilingual, be now introduced and read a first time.

Speaker Goudy: — The Minister of Parks, Culture and Sport has moved that Bill No. 29, The Tailgating Act be now introduced and read a first time. Is it the pleasure of the Assembly to adopt the motion?

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Speaker Goudy: — Carried.

Principal Clerk: — First reading of this bill.

Speaker Goudy: — When shall this bill be read a second time?

Hon. Alana Ross: — Next sitting of the Assembly.

Speaker Goudy: — Next sitting.

Bill No. 606 — The Provincial Health Authority (ER Closure right-to-know) Amendment Act

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Regina Walsh Acres.

Jared Clarke: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move that Bill 606, The Provincial Health Authority (ER Closure right-to-know) Amendment Act be now introduced and read a first time.

Speaker Goudy: — The member from Regina Walsh Acres has moved that Bill No. 606, The Provincial Health Authority (ER Closure right-to-know) Amendment Act be now introduced and read a first time. Is it the pleasure of the Assembly to adopt the motion?

[11:00]

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Speaker Goudy: — Carried.

Principal Clerk: — First reading of this bill.

Speaker Goudy: — When shall this bill be read a second time?

Jared Clarke: — At the next sitting of the Assembly, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker Goudy: — Next sitting.

ORDERS OF THE DAY

SPECIAL ORDER

ADJOURNED DEBATES

ADDRESS IN REPLY

[The Assembly resumed the adjourned debate on the address in reply which was moved by Michael Weger, seconded by Terri Bromm, and the proposed amendment to the main motion moved by Jordan McPhail.]

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Remote and Rural Health.

Hon. Lori Carr: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday when I had the opportunity to thank individuals, I missed one person from my legislative office. Her name is Erin Bradish, and I’m not sure how I could forget her because she plays a vital role in our office. She does amazing work for the MLAs [Member of the Legislative Assembly], and so I just want to say, great job, Erin, and thank you for being a part of our office.

So just a few comments on my file before I wrap up. As I was saying yesterday, I was listening to the member from Saskatoon Centre. It would seem to me that she does not understand recovery-oriented system of care, so I’m going to take some time to explain it for her and her colleagues.

A recovery-oriented system of care is a comprehensive, coordinated approach to delivering addiction and mental health services, designed to support individuals and families throughout their recovery journey. ROSC [recovery-oriented system of care] is increasingly recognized in Canada and internationally as a best-practice framework that emphasizes person-centred care, community involvement, and holistic wellness.

Some key principles. With person-centred care, the services are tailored to the unique needs, strengths, and goals of each individual, respecting their autonomy and choices. It’s strength-based, focusing building upon an individual’s abilities, resiliency, and resources rather than solely on their deficits or symptoms.

It’s holistic in nature, addressing all aspects of wellness including physical, emotional, social, spiritual. And it also is inclusive and culturally responsive. It considers culture, linguistic, and community context, ensuring equitable access and diversity within the program.

It has community integration. It connects individuals with supports in their communities such as housing, employment, education, and peer networks, as well as having a continuum of care, Mr. Speaker. It provides ongoing supports before, during, and after formal treatment, Mr. Speaker, so that would include formal post-treatment detoxification and post-treatment beds.

Mr. Speaker, this Saskatchewan Party government has committed to 500 new treatment spaces and we are almost there. The spaces are already available in just about 300 of those and helping patients to return on their path to recovery. Those spaces are available in Saskatoon, Lumsden, Estevan, Muskwa Lake, Onion Lake, Lloydminster, and North Battleford, and we will reach our goal of 500. Once that has been reached, the resources that are in place will be evaluated. The ministry will determine what other services or spaces need to be put in place at that point in time to help people with their recovery.

During this session we will take the next step to provide the support, compassion, and care to those struggling with addictions by introducing the compassionate intervention Act. There are some people with addiction problems who are simply unable to seek the treatment that they need on their own. Individuals whose addiction is creating a threat to themselves and others will be required to enter an addiction treatment program, ensuring that they get the help they need while keeping our communities safe and secure.

Giving someone struggling with addiction more drugs is not the answer. Our government will give them a safe space to help them with what they need to escape their life of addiction. Our government will provide them with hope so that they can see a secure future for themselves.

Mr. Speaker, day in and day out we sit here and listen to the members opposite, but primarily the member from Saskatoon Centre, say that the Saskatchewan Party is making cuts, that we are not investing any money in our addictions services, Mr. Speaker. Since 2007 our government has more than tripled the funding for addictions, Mr. Speaker, and that does include mental health services.

The member from Saskatoon Churchill-Wildwood was mocking the member from Saskatoon Willowgrove, saying, oh, “I know math is hard,” Mr. Speaker. Well this government is spending $3 to every $1 on addiction services that the members opposite spent when they had the privilege to serve in government. And no matter how hard I try to rationalize them saying that we have cut spending, the math does not add up, Mr. Speaker.

In fact the only government cutting things were the NDP when they had the privilege to serve in 2007 and before. And I know I have said this in the House before, but it is worth repeating, Mr. Speaker. And if the member from Saskatoon Centre would take some time to listen instead of chirping from her seat like she is continually doing, she would understand what is actually going on in this province.

So I will keep repeating this. We had a great treatment facility in Estevan, Mr. Speaker. It was located in St. Joseph’s Hospital, but under the watchful eye of the NDP they closed that facility. Now that’s an actual cut, Mr. Speaker. But I am happy to report, five years ago this government put treatment spaces back into St. Joseph’s Hospital. Not only there are . . .

[Interjections]

Deputy Speaker B. McLeod: — I’ll ask the member from Saskatoon Centre to please show the respect required in this legislature and listen as the speech is given. Thank you.

Hon. Lori Carr: — Thank you. The treatment centre that is there is following the recovery-oriented system of care. That is quite the opposite of cutting. Spaces were replaced and expanded. But I know math is hard.

And just briefly I would like to go through the plan that the member from Saskatoon Centre brought forward. It actually looks familiar, Mr. Speaker, only because the majority of the points that are included in her plan are seen in our action plan for mental health and addictions that our Saskatchewan Party government brought forward in 2023.

Her first point. She wants to expand access to voluntary in-patient treatment both on- and off-reserve. Well if you go to page 7 of our plan, it goes into detail on our goal of 500 beds. I would also note that we have addiction treatment spaces in the province that are led by Indigenous governments, organizations, or communities, and we will continue to foster these relationships and put spaces there.

Number two. As well in Saskatoon Centre’s plan, she wants to increase detox services. Once again, if she goes to page 7 in our plan, we also address this.

Number three. Saskatoon Centre says she wants a plan to support sober living. Well can anyone guess what page that is on in our plan, Mr. Speaker? No. 7. And do you know why all of these items are in the same area in our plan, Mr. Speaker? It’s because they all fall under the recovery-oriented system of care which that member, Saskatoon Centre, criticizes day in and day out.

Number four. She wants to build a strategic workforce to — everybody, you should listen to this because these are some really good points actually — to build a strategic workforce to recruit, train, and retain addiction mental health professionals. I’m glad that she’s helping me out here because — have we actually heard that before? — it sounds really familiar to me. That’s because that’s what we’re doing on this side of the House, Mr. Speaker.

Number five . . .

[Applause]

Hon. Lori Carr: — Exactly. Ensure involuntary treatment is reserved for the small minority of individuals whose addictions pose a serious threat to themselves or public safety only as a last resort. I couldn’t agree more, Mr. Speaker. But once again, that is something that our government placed in this Throne Speech, to introduce the compassionate intervention Act, and I’ve already canvassed that topic.

Now there was one item the member from Saskatoon Centre mentioned in her plan that is drastically different from our plan, and we will not compromise on that, Mr. Speaker. She wants harm reduction. Once again, providing an individual the tools to use illicit drugs and offering crack pipes is not a solution, Mr. Speaker. Our plan is about recovery and giving individuals hope for the future. Mr. Speaker, there is more work to be done, and we are committed to getting that work done.

And just before I close, one quick, little vision I want to leave you all with. Just imagine. If someone climbs to the top of a building with intent to jump to the end of their life, we act. We call emergency services. We call firefighters. EMS [emergency medical services] come. Police are there. Everyone comes together, Mr. Speaker. Sometimes that person ends up in a psychiatric unit receiving care involuntarily under the mental health Act.

But what if that same person is on the street injecting a lethal dose of fentanyl, which is the same? They have the same desire to die as that person jumping off the building, Mr. Speaker. Too often we’ve done nothing. The time for doing nothing has to stop, and that is why we need the compassionate intervention Act.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, while I only talked about one topic in this speech, the Throne Speech does lay the groundwork to ensure that our province will continue to be strong, safe, and secure. I will not be supporting the amendment brought forward by the members opposite, but I will be supporting the motion brought forward by the member from Weyburn-Bengough and seconded by the member from Carrot River Valley. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Leader of the Opposition.

Carla Beck: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is, Mr. Speaker, indeed an honour to rise today and enter some remarks in this debate in response to the Speech from the Throne. But before I get too far into that, I think it’s important and certainly customary to enter some remarks of thanks into the record, first of all.

Mr. Speaker, the first person I want to thank is my husband, Guy. This last weekend we celebrated our 28th wedding anniversary, and he was kind enough to make sure that we got away to the spa in Moose Jaw for a night, Mr. Speaker — something that’s sometimes difficult to do, find time to be together. Unfortunately he planned that night for the first day of the World Series, so he had to compete for my attention a little bit. But we certainly did have a good time, Mr. Speaker, and certainly always good to be at the spa in Moose Jaw.

I want to also say a big thanks to my kids. I’ve spoken about them before in here, but certainly they not only support the work that I do but they inspire me each and every day to continue to do this work, as do the people that I represent, the people of Regina Lakeview, Mr. Speaker, a great community where people still understand the value of helping your neighbour out, of giving back. And it has been my absolute honour to represent them since 2016, Mr. Speaker.

I want to also just give a quick shout-out to my folks. As I get older, as I’m parenting adult children, I think as often happens when we’re parents, I have more and more respect and admiration and more thanks to give my parents who instilled in us, you know, not only the importance of working hard but also giving back and caring about those around you. And that’s certainly something that I have tried to instill, that Guy and I have tried to instill in our kids. And, Mr. Speaker, we’re pretty proud of those kids that we’ve raised.

Now my mom and dad just wrapped up their 28th year — and I know this because they started their outfitting business the same year that we got married — their 28th year of having hunters come into this province and enjoy the beauty of the southern plains of Saskatchewan, Mr. Speaker. They’re in their 70s now and, speaking of hard work, that’s a difficult job when you’re a young person. They certainly put in a lot of work and take a lot of pride in being able to show off this beautiful province to the visitors that they have come in year after year, Mr. Speaker.

A quick shout-out to my CA [constituency assistant]. I think all of us rely heavily on our CAs. This year I had Michael Bell join me as my CA in my office. When you’re the CA in the leader’s office and you’re taking on a new role, I think it comes with some added challenges. Certainly, you know, I’m not always in the office as much as I would like to be. We take calls not only from our constituents but from those right across this province. And Michael has done a fantastic job and is supporting me in ways that “thanks” seems a small thing to say. But I certainly want to say thank you to him.

[11:15]

Mr. Speaker, I want to say thank you to the staff in our office. I’ve got lots of thanks to give here but I would be remiss if I didn’t give a shout-out to those hard-working folks. I think some of them are probably listening back. Many of them are working hard on other things I think right now. We all know . . . I think members on both sides understand that the work that we do here in this Assembly takes a lot of hard work and sacrifice on our part. But those staff members, the hours that they put in, the drive, the talent, I cannot say thank you loudly enough, but I certainly do appreciate and I know we all appreciate the work that they put in each and every day.

And, Mr. Speaker, I want to say thank you to this team, this team that inspires me, that pushes me, that makes me proud to call myself your leader, but moreover makes me incredibly proud of the judgment of the people of Saskatchewan to have put you in these chairs. Thank you to each and every one of you.

Now getting into the debate proper. I’ve had the opportunity to listen to much of the debate since the Throne Speech, Mr. Speaker. And I think as we move to wrap up debate here today, it’s worth noting, as many members have, that this week we marked the one-year anniversary of the last election, Mr. Speaker. And clearly there’s a lot that has changed, not only in this Assembly but in our province and our world since that last election.

We saw an American election that continues to have repercussions, continues to reverberate, not only in this province but right around the world. We’ve seen threats, not only to our economy but to our sovereignty. We saw — and I think not unrelated — we saw a federal election here in Canada that yielded far different results than I think most people would’ve expected one year ago. And we’ve not only seen the tariffs placed on our goods from the Americans, we’ve also seen the Chinese tariffs on canola, peas, and pork as a result of the federal EV [electric vehicle] tariffs. And just today we’ve seen the imposition of tariffs from India on peas in this province, Mr. Speaker.

A lot has changed, and all of this greatly impacts the people of this province. But there’s another change that I want to talk about when I look back to last year as compared to this year. And I think this is also significant, and it’s impacting people in this province. Comparing last year’s Throne Speech to this year’s Throne Speech, something that’s striking — it might seem insignificant but I think it is very important — and that’s the tone.

Last year of course, looking back, that Throne Speech was delivered after this government had a bit of a shakeup, a wake-up call even, Mr. Speaker. They lost five cabinet ministers, lost many seats. And we saw something that, after almost a decade of standing in this Assembly, I see rarely from the sitting government, and that was a little bit of humility.

The last Throne Speech was entitled “A New Beginning.” And we saw this government at that time talk about the fact that, and I quote, “My government will do better to support patients and the health care needs of Saskatchewan people,” and that they would “reach this goal through partnership and collaboration with our health care providers,” Mr. Speaker. That was the tone that we saw last time: we’ve learned our lesson; we’re going to do better; we’ve heard you. That’s not what we’re seeing. In fact it wasn’t too long after that Throne Speech was delivered that we saw this government fall back into old patterns: “we know best,” Mr. Speaker.

Now I can understand a little bit of hubris if, after learning that lesson, this government had dug in and actually started to turn things around for people in this province. That’s not what we have seen. In fact some of the issues that were there in the last election are still there. Some of them have gotten worse. And you know, I’m going to . . . I can’t canvass all of it because I’m going to get the yank from my House Leader at some point here if I go too long, but I want to talk about a few.

I want to talk about . . . First of all, let’s talk about the cost of living, affordability simply put, whether people in this province can pay their bills, whether they’re doing better at the end of the month. What we’ve seen since last year is an increase in those using the food bank in this province. Now we have almost 40 per cent of those using the food bank children. Not acceptable, Mr. Speaker. A quarter of them, or almost one in five of those people who are using — the record number of people using the food bank in this province — do so after they have worked a full day’s work, Mr. Speaker.

We’ve seen seniors who continue to see their rents increased. And when they speak out about it they are told, well if you don’t like it, find somewhere else to live, Mr. Speaker. We’ve seen increased grocery inflation. And we continue — I guess this hasn’t changed — we continue to see this province have the highest rate of financial insecurity in the entire country.

Now the response to that, Mr. Speaker, from this government hasn’t been to lower costs or to find ways to curb the climbing rents that people are paying in this province. No. We haven’t seen any new measures in this Speech from the Throne to address affordability. Their response has been, time and time again, to tell people how affordable, how affordable this province is, how good they have it, Mr. Speaker.

In the face of all that’s going on, when we look at the tariffs, we’ve got a premier who tells people, “You know what? The impacts of those tariffs, they’ve been minimal,” Mr. Speaker. I’d say to that Premier, as I have: tell that to the people in this province who are struggling to pay their bills. Tell that to people who are right now putting groceries on their credit card, that they’ve got things so good. Tell that to the seniors who are being told to move if they don’t like their rent increase. And tell that to Canadian producers, Saskatchewan producers right now with crop in the bin, looking for a buyer, that those impacts to those tariffs have been minimal, Mr. Speaker.

Tell that to Jessica, who was here yesterday, an LPN who has been broken by her job, a job that she loves, caring for people that she calls family, watching her colleagues leave to take jobs at the Co-op because they’re paid more than she’s paid as a health care professional in this province right now, Mr. Speaker.

But it’s not just failures on the cost of living, Mr. Speaker. We have seen failures in one area impacting others, like we talked about yesterday. Health care workers, desperately needed health care workers — this government calls them valuable; they say they understand how important they are to our health care system — they’re leaving the province. They’re leaving the profession. They’re leaving their jobs caring for the people of this province because they can’t afford to work and pay their bills under this government. Mr. Speaker, that doesn’t sound like everything is just fine.

We have a government that has no plan to get the people in place that they need, that is cutting at our Sask Polytech at a time when we need to be revving up our labour force. We need to be ensuring good jobs, that we’ve got the people in place to build the infrastructure we need to deliver the health care and the child care that we need in this province.

This government doesn’t seem to get it, even when headlines like from meadowlakeNOW tell us that Sask Polytech cuts threaten critical sectors of our economy. Mr. Speaker, this government might not get it, but the people of this province certainly understand how hollow that rings when that government tells them that their life is so affordable in this province right now.

Now I have not only listened to the speeches from the members on this side, and honestly guys, great job. You made me laugh. You made me cry. You connected with the people of this province. But I have listened to the members opposite as well. And you know, I’ve heard things around things are tough; they’re complicated; we’re trying. And I get that. Things are tough. We are facing some very, very difficult times not only in this province, not only in this country, but right across the world right now. And I will provide, I will extend grace on some of those, that this is complicated for sure.

But where I will extend no grace, where I will not let up on our demands for better for the people of this province is that the government needs to stop telling people, to deny people the reality that they’re facing in their own lives. I don’t know if they’re trying to convince themselves or they’re trying to convince others, but the reality is the people in this province deserve better. They deserve a government that’s going to listen.

So, Mr. Speaker, going back a year there was a glimmer of hope that this was a government that perhaps had learned their lesson. But pretty quickly they went back to being the same folks that put up those billboards that said “growth that works for everyone” outside the food bank, Mr. Speaker. Now they’re telling burnt-out health care workers, who desperately need a raise and are using the food bank, how affordable their life is. Or they’re delivering a Throne Speech that proclaims, and I quote, “Saskatchewan’s healthcare system is ensuring that everyone gets the [health] care they need.”

On the day after, 450 health care workers signed an open letter telling this government about the dangerous and unworkable conditions in one of the largest ERs [emergency room] in this entire province, Mr. Speaker. And at a time when people in rural Saskatchewan are showing up at their local emergency room only to find a piece of paper taped to the door telling them to drive a hour down the road to another emergency room that, Mr. Speaker, is also closed, that does not sound like a health care system ensuring everyone gets the care that they need.

Mr. Speaker, I could go on and on. But what all of these examples tell us is that we have a government that is out of touch with the realities. Now, okay, I do have one more. Yesterday we had the health care minister talk about, brag about the most ambitious . . . Oh, I guess there has been a change. They’ve stopped calling it the most ambitious. It’s now the most aggressive health human resources plan in the entire country.

I’m going to take some direction from the member from Regina Elphinstone-Centre who suggests — and here’s an edit for you — that they start calling it the most fictitious human resources plan in the country, Mr. Speaker. They stood up and waved that plan around again in front of a bunch of health care workers who are telling this government that what you are doing is not working, and you need to respect and pay the health care workers that you have if you have any hope of retaining them, Mr. Speaker.

Now, Mr. Speaker, far be it from me to give this government advice often. They will say they will take no advice from members opposite. But I’m persistent. Maybe I’ll try one more time. And you know, putting facts on the record, hundreds of people coming into this Assembly doesn’t seem to change their mind. Something that sometimes works are fables, so maybe I’ll try to get the point of it.

Now, fables sometimes allow us to reveal important truths. And I thought about writing my own fable. You know, Tommy Douglas was very good at writing fables — black cats and white cats and all of that. I know my own limitations, Mr. Speaker, and I wouldn’t want to present something that didn’t quite hit the mark in this Assembly.

But I do have a favourite. And when I was thinking about this, I was thinking of a book that we had when I was a kid in the ’80s growing up on the farm, and it had a purple cover. And you know, we didn’t have a lot. Growing up in the ’80s, things were kind of tight. But my folks really were insistent on education and reading. And we had a subscription to the Disney book-of-the-month club. Okay, I’m getting head nods. I’m glad; I thought maybe this was Mandela effect or something.

But the one I want to talk about was one that’s called “The Emperor’s New Clothes,” Mr. Speaker, and I think it’s an important fable. So it’s of course based on Hans Christian Andersen’s cautionary tale. And the lessons that I took from that, even then, Mr. Speaker, were around the folly of vanity, a cautionary tale about surrounding yourself with yes‑people or people who only tell you what you want to hear. But also, and maybe most importantly, it’s a story about the importance of speaking up. Speaking your truth, speaking what is clearly in front of your eyes even when everyone around you is telling you, no, that’s not what’s happening here.

[11:30]

And you know, we’ve seen a lot of people speaking up. I think we’ve had hundreds through already, Mr. Speaker. They’ve been waiting. They’ve been waiting to come and hold this government to account. And I’ll tell you right now there’s going to be hundreds and hundreds more.

But I want to centre on one specific part of that story and one specific person who’s been to this legislature recently. Because those who remember that story will remember that the hero of that fable, “The Emperor’s New Clothes,” was a child, and he was the one who spoke out when all those around him were fawning over the non-existent robes. He was the one who was willing to say out loud what was clear as day — that the emperor has no clothes, Mr. Speaker.

And I was reminded of this earlier this week when we had a little guy here from Denare Beach, Spencer, and some of you will have met him. And so Spencer was pretty impressed he got to meet the Premier, and you know, he liked what the Premier had to say. And then he came into this Assembly and he watched what happened when the folks of Denare, through their member, the member for Cumberland, asked a very reasonable ask. They asked for a fully independent public inquiry, something that the people, the council of Denare Beach have also asked for.

So after he watched that, and we were out in the rotunda, Mr. Speaker, this little guy — and man, you know, he’s playing his Minecraft Lego — he ducked almost right through our legs and got to that mike right away. And Spencer said, you know, “He said he was going to help us. I don’t know why they can’t just do the simple thing, what we’re asking,” Mr. Speaker. Spencer, I don’t know why either. Out of the mouths of babes, Mr. Speaker.

Spencer and his family, the health care workers who were here, they came not only wanting to raise their concerns to cause problems for the government, they came looking for help, and they came telling this government they want to be a part of the solutions. They had answers, Mr. Speaker. But time and time again, this is a government who is taking not only no advice from us, they are taking no advice from the people of this province.

They came here looking for hope, Mr. Speaker. And you know what? While problems are, you know, there’s a long list of those, the reasons for hope in this province, that’s also a damn long list in this province right now. And there’s lots of reasons to be hopeful.

We are incredibly privileged, each and every one of us, to live in a province as beautiful, as blessed with resources as we are here in Saskatchewan. People have lived on these lands since time immemorial. And for most of our history it’s been understood that our job as folks who live here, who enjoy the bounty of this province, who are stewards of the land, that it’s our job to be grateful for what we grow and what we harvest. It’s our job to work hard but also to care about the people around us and how they’re doing as well. And not only those who are here right now, but to look out for the generations to come, to do the hard work today to ensure that not only we benefit, not only our buddies benefit, but those around us today and for generations to come, Mr. Speaker.

The people of this province are doing their part. They’ve always done their part, Mr. Speaker. What they deserve is a government that also values honesty, hard work, and most importantly a government that is focused on what matters most to them.

I want to spend a little more time just talking about some of those reasons for hope. Because this province has faced hard times before. Saskatchewan people have faced hard times before. Mr. Speaker, we’re resilient. That is one of our strengths.

I want to talk again about Jessica, who I mentioned in my questions and I mentioned earlier in this speech. So Jessica has been burnt-out by her job working in long-term care in rural Saskatchewan. This is someone who is passionate, not only about her job but most importantly about the people that she delivers care to. She refers to them as family.

Now while Jessica is no longer able to work at the care home that she works at, she told me that this Halloween, which I guess is tomorrow — game 6 — that tomorrow she’s going to take her kids in. They’re going to dress up and they’re going to go deliver treats to those residents at that care home, Mr. Speaker. Because while that job has broken her, it has not broken her love of this province and those people that she served. She still considers them family, Mr. Speaker. That is the kind of people we have in this province.

And I want to talk a little bit about the folks in Denare Beach, because the first day that we were able to go up there . . . And, Mr. Speaker, I hope no one in this province ever sees, has to experience what they experienced this summer, devastation of their entire community.

When we were first able to go back in, I think it was the first day — I’m looking to the member for Cumberland — the first day that they were able to get back into the community, one of the first things they did was rebuild the “Welcome to Denare Beach” sign, Mr. Speaker. On the very first day that they were allowed back in to see the devastation of their community. This was a community that had firm resolve to work together and rebuild that community again. Saskatchewan people are resilient, Mr. Speaker. That is the kind of hope that we see in every corner of this province.

Just one more. Recently I saw a Facebook post about a sale that was happening at the Cowtown Livestock Exchange. And producers, ranchers in this province, and the Exchange, they were donating $2 a calf sold to the SaskAgMatters Mental Health Network, Mr. Speaker, to support the important work that they do in this province.

This is a province that is resilient, that gives back, that knows what matters, Mr. Speaker. And I would say the same thing about this team. I will say to the people of this province, to a person, the passion, the hard work, the desire to make things better not just for today, and not just for themselves and their buddies, but for all people in every corner of this province, is what drives this team each and every day.

You will continue to see us, Mr. Speaker, not only do our job as the official opposition and hold this government to account — because there’s a lot to hold them to account for, Mr. Speaker — but you will also see this team take what they have learned, what they have brought from their endless hours right across this province talking with people in every corner of this province, every industry, to bring that back here and also propose real solutions to those things.

Private members’ bills to make health care safe for today and work ahead to propose the big, bold changes that are needed in health care, Mr. Speaker. Bills to bring down rent in this province. To deal with trade barriers. Not to reveal all, Mr. Speaker, but a plan for a real energy pathway in this province that ensures affordable, reliable power; good jobs; benefit to communities.

And you know what, Mr. Speaker? We’re not going to wait until we’ve been in government for two decades to propose that. You can . . . [inaudible].

As I close, Mr. Speaker, I’ll say one more time to this government: there’s a lineup of people in this province who are going to be coming through this Assembly because they want you to understand that what you are saying, what you are focusing on, does not reflect the reality in their lives, Mr. Speaker. And we are happy to lift up their voices, Mr. Speaker. And we are only getting started.

And I wish I could go through every one of those responses to the Speech from the Throne that members on this side put into the record, Mr. Speaker. I would encourage folks at home who didn’t watch them to give them a look, because the passion, the focus, the care, the intelligence reflecting the real issues that are facing Saskatchewan people that you put into those speeches from the throne, Mr. Speaker — that is what gives me hope. That is what drives us forward, Mr. Speaker. And I’ll say again to the members opposite, we’re only getting started.

Mr. Speaker, I will not be supporting the government motion. I will be supporting the amendment brought forward by the member from Cumberland, and I will guarantee that we will continue to fill our role to hold this government to account, and to put forward a clear alternative to this tired and out-of-touch government. Thank you.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Premier.

Hon. Scott Moe: — Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. It gives me great pleasure to rise to enter some comments on the most recent Speech from the Throne, Mr. Speaker, which essentially lays out the work and the plan on behalf of the Government of Saskatchewan over the course of the next year, and sets the foundation obviously for years after that.

Mr. Speaker, I would just start by what is very, very customary, which is thanking family members. And before I maybe get to my family, I know there was a number of speeches on both sides of the House and comments that were entered. And I would just like to start by joining, and maybe covering for, a couple of members that may have missed their significant other — Renee — or anyone. But I do want, more seriously . . . And that is an inside joke, Mr. Speaker. But I want to join, I think, with members on all sides of this House in the thanks that they provide to their family members.

The work that we do collectively wherever you sit on the floor of this Assembly — yourself included, Mr. Speaker — it should never, ever go without recognition and without thanks and without graciousness from the people that are here, but the people more broadly across the province, on the commitments and the sacrifices that are made by spouses, significant others, Mr. Speaker, children, parents, the people that are most important in each of our lives. And so I would just join with everyone in thanking collectively the family members and those that support us in the work that we do in this legislature. Sometimes . . .

My wife, Krista. I want to start with thanking her. I have in years gone by missed that individual — like others have this year, Mr. Speaker — in my thanks. But she is the love of my life, has been throughout my life, Mr. Speaker. Like the Leader of the Opposition, we’ve been married about three decades. Just a couple of years on the other side of the three-decade mark. We were married when we . . . it seems like we were 11 or 12 years old. But we’ve been married 32 years now this past spring, Mr. Speaker.

Our children are grown and have moved on, and we are very proud of them, and I also thank them. As members in this House would know, there is a sacrifice that children make as well, as their name is much more public than maybe they had anticipated through choices not of their own.

Mr. Speaker, all of the folks that help us. The Leader of the Opposition had mentioned all of, you know, the staff throughout this building, throughout government, the public service. There’s a lot that happens to support the work on the floor of this legislature and prepping for . . . Whether it be question period and prepping for policy development on either side of the House.

Whether you’re the opposition . . . You’re there, yes, to oppose, but I would also hope that you put forward, you know, some of your own ideas with respect to what the province might look like, Mr. Speaker. And certainly on the government side there is, I would say, a quite well-oiled machine of people that collectively put forward policy after policy, Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the people that we serve across the province.

Mr. Speaker, this week marks a year since the most recent election, where the people of Saskatchewan . . . And never a day goes by that we aren’t honoured and humbled by the fact that they’ve provided the Saskatchewan Party with a fifth-term government, Mr. Speaker, just over a year ago. Largely running on a platform of affordability, which has been discussed on the floor of this legislature many times, including today. And I’ll have a couple of comments on that, Mr. Speaker.

[11:45]

But we’ve also very much, over the course of the last year, spoken as a government on what we’ve heard from Saskatchewan people and what we’ve heard with respect to investments they want to see made into health care, Mr. Speaker; investments they want to see made into education to ensure that we are putting our students first, our students who are our children and grandchildren; investments that they want to see into ensuring that our communities are safe, Mr. Speaker, as we see really the evolution with the availability of very toxic and poisonous drugs in our nation. And Saskatchewan is not being missed by the presence of those drugs and the challenges that our friends and family might have with that presence, Mr. Speaker.

And so we very much have heard from Saskatchewan people with respect to, you know, what they view as their priorities, wherever they might live across this province, Mr. Speaker. And we also heard from them that they want to see a continued strong economy so that those investments can be made in a realistic and ongoing and sustainable way. And that is the balance that we most certainly are trying to put forward in our policy development. I think you see that balance in the priorities of this Speech from the Throne. Certainly in the most recent budget they were evident, and I would say even dating back to the Speech from the Throne after the provincial election just over a year ago.

Beginning with affordability, Mr. Speaker, I was reminded of the importance of affordability talking to, you know, individuals out when I attended the 90th anniversary of the Co-op Refinery right here in Regina. Literally hundreds, thousands of families are employed directly or indirectly with the work that is happening there, supplying . . . You know, 60, 70 per cent of Western Canada’s diesel fuel supplies come out of this refinery right here, Mr. Speaker.

And working closely at the macro level with Federated Co-operatives to ensure that that refinery has a long runway of operation ahead of it with some of the federal regulations that are present. But then also talking to people that have worked there, some of them for more than one generation — one, two, three generations, Mr. Speaker.

And I was, you know, I was reminded of the importance of some of the affordability measures that were in last year’s budget, were in the campaign, Mr. Speaker, were delivered on financially in last year’s budget and continue to be delivered on throughout this four-year term. But I was also reminded of my own family’s involvement and connection to the Co-op Refinery operating over 90 years.

You see, years ago, Mr. Speaker, as a teenager, a teenager that had a little bit of time to visit with his grandfather who was retired . . . And I was so very fortunate that he took the time to visit with me, day in day out, and we became very close friends. He passed away in 2012 at the age of 96 years old. He had in his early days, in the ’50s, had a trucking company, starting by hauling grain for local farmers. He had one of the first grain augers in the area attached to the side of his truck. Prior to that they were using a bushel scoop, Mr. Speaker, of which I have one in my home in somewhat memory of my grandfather and how, you know, he started his own business. An industrious fellow in the ’50s, he quickly had moved on and got into the fuel-hauling business.

And if you can imagine in 1956, 7, 8, 9, 1960, in those early days, with a one-ton body job that’s smaller than some pickup trucks out there today, Mr. Speaker, making a trip to Regina, crossing at times two, sometimes three ferries. Making that trip to Regina five, sometimes six days a week, bringing fuel back for the communities in the area where I live. It’s quite an undertaking, Mr. Speaker. I drive to Regina once a week, and I think that might be too many times, let alone each and every day in the 1950s when the mode of travel was much slower than it is, filling with fuel here and going back with a load.

Mr. Speaker, I was very much reminded of the connection that we have across this province, the importance of us to be working together to represent those families that are employed at that Co-op Refinery today with lower taxes, with some of the lowest taxes that we have seen in over 20 years in this province. Families of four today paying less tax than they did 18 years ago in this province under the members opposite. That’s an important number when it comes to affordability, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, we have in this province through, you know, Saskatchewan Power Corporation, our Saskatchewan Government Insurance corporation, SaskTel, Mr. Speaker, those public utilities that we have, either the lowest or the second-lowest utility bundle of anywhere in the nation of Canada. That’s adding to the statistics that show that Saskatchewan is the most affordable province to live in the nation, and it’s a province where your job prospects will be very good.

Mr. Speaker, Saskatchewan continues to be affordable and will continue to be affordable into the future (1) because of the commitment of this Minister of Finance and this government ensuring that’s the case, (2) because of our commitment to ensure that the economy continues to grow into the future so that the investments that we’re making in affordability are sustainable, Mr. Speaker, and they aren’t going to have to be backed up in the years ahead.

Mr. Speaker, lots of discussion on health care on the floor of this Assembly, as there should be, and many commitments in this year’s Speech from the Throne, last year’s budget, the most recent budget, last year’s Speech from the Throne. I don’t think there is a family in this room, in this Assembly, and likely not a family in the province that hasn’t experienced in some way or been touched by the services that are being offered in this province when it comes to health care.

I know we had quite a run in our family, starting in ’06 with a mother-in-law that had a battle with cancer. That battle was unsuccessful. A couple of years later, Mr. Speaker, this most recent summer, my mom had a run-in with cancer as well. I won’t get into the details of that treatment, but I was able to take some time and spend some time with her. We should do more of that. Cancer aside, take some time to spend some time with those that we love in our lives, Mr. Speaker.

I will say this: thank you to all of those folks that are working in health care more generally, but specifically in the cancer care that is offered in Saskatoon, even more specifically in the Breast Health Centre, Mr. Speaker. And I can certainly see why this is a government and Health ministers that are committed to replicating that service right here in Regina to ensure that all of those in the south have access.

Our family is a testament to just how successful and how thorough and how welcoming, Mr. Speaker, that service is. And it’s because of the people that are offering it in the Breast Health Centre, in the Saskatoon Cancer Centre. And so thank you to each of them for the care that they provided my mother, and the understanding that they provided my father and our family through the past number of months, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I think that story, that’s mine, my family’s, but it’s not unique. And that story can be repeated I think time and time again by families, again in this Assembly and across the province. And that’s why we need to always strive to do better, Mr. Speaker, in supporting our front-line health care workers so that they can put patients first in the services that they offer, wherever that might be.

It also means we need to think outside of the traditional way of thinking in health care, Mr. Speaker, whether you be a front-line health care individual providing those services, or whether you be sitting on the floor of this Assembly in government or opposition, suggesting new and innovative ways for us to deliver care today rather than just looking at how that care has been delivered over the last number of years and the last number of decades. Because things do change, Mr. Speaker.

Things changed throughout my grandfather’s 96 years on this earth. He essentially was able to watch the Industrial Revolution in real time, Mr. Speaker. He had often told me he lost track in the late ’80s when computers came on and these little phones that weren’t hooked to the wall. But he saw the ground plowed with oxen, then horses, then steam, then gasoline, then diesel, and on. He saw the Industrial Revolution in real time. And I would say that change has sped up since that time, Mr. Speaker, and that conversation that we had.

And in health care, it needs to continue to change as well. And I would point to the innovative ways with respect to urgent care centres and how they are offering services right here in Regina and very soon in Saskatoon, Mr. Speaker. Not only on the urgent care side — seeing 41,000 patients just last year, rivalling some of the volumes that we are seeing in our emergency care departments here in Regina as well — but also the mental health care and addictions side and the intake and the access point for those that are in need of that service.

Mr. Speaker, you are going to see continued investments in health care, whether it’s building out those 109 acute care beds, essentially another hospital, using existing infrastructure at City Hospital in Saskatoon. City Hospital in Saskatoon is changing as we speak. I think 40 of those beds are open today, building that out to 109 beds.

You add to that the about 70 per cent increase in the Prince Albert hospital, Mr. Speaker, as we see that very significant investment come to a close, fully funded by the province. That investment is going to serve — and that facility and the people in it are going to serve — not just people in Prince Albert and region but the entirety of our northern part of the province, Mr. Speaker.

And it’s going to take people in those urgent care centres, in the virtual health care centres, in the expansion that we’re seeing at the City Hospital in Saskatoon, as well as Prince Albert, Mr. Speaker. It is going to take hundreds if not thousands of additional health care employees to offer those services. And that’s why you see a government that continues to fund the most ambitious health human resources plan in the nation, Mr. Speaker, and the importance of that plan.

One of the priorities in last year’s Speech from the Throne — I would say in this most recent budget as well — and also in this Speech from the Throne, Mr. Speaker, is the importance of education. And I was doing some reading the other day and there’s an individual, I kind of like him, Mr. Speaker. He’s passed on. He was a political individual, and I always kind of view him as being the right person at the right place at the right time. And that is Winston Churchill.

Mr. Speaker, not everyone has fond memories of some of Winston Churchill’s time as a politician, but I think he was the right person at the right time with the right approach to what was a very real global problem. And with all of what we see going on today, Mr. Speaker, I often will look back and do some reading on some of Winston Churchill’s life.

Now saying that and given his history in World War II, Mr. Speaker — in defending Britain throughout that and really the Western world and how things could have been very different had he not taken the stand that he did — you would not expect me to be quoting Winston Churchill when it comes to investments in education in the province of Saskatchewan. However I am.

Mr. Speaker, Winston Churchill had said, “The most important thing about education is appetite.” And when you think about children, in particular young children, maybe in that K to 3 [kindergarten to grade 3] space or even prior to that in the pre-K ages, Mr. Speaker, you think of the appetite with which they learn, and it’s incredible.

We had, you know, a young child — I don’t know that it’s actually a caucus member of the members opposite, Mr. Speaker, but certainly a citizen of the province — here today. And you watch as that child and any young child learns through those early years. And if you could keep that appetite that strong throughout not only the rest of their learning career, which I would suggest should be the rest of our lives, but keep that appetite and that yearning for learning throughout life, think of what each and every one of us would have the opportunity to aspire to. It would be great, Mr. Speaker.

And that’s why I think the quote in the Speech from the Throne, and is often quoted by the Minister of Education, is we need to ensure in particular in that K to 3 space that we are allowing every opportunity for success and supporting that success when it comes to learning to read, learning to add, Mr. Speaker, and some of the basic math functions. And ensuring, Mr. Speaker, that we are setting that foundation for success in years 4 through 12. Said very succinctly, we need to learn to read so that we can read to learn, so that we can feed that appetite for a longer period of time.

That is true I believe for our students, is to very much support that opportunity to learn to read in that K to 3 space. Yes, to provide measurements and benchmarks to ensure that we are always improving on the number of children that are achieving those grade 3 outcomes at the completion of grade 3. That’s why you’ve seen the investment in the specialized support classrooms, Mr. Speaker, and that’s why you’ve seen the focus of those specialized support classrooms in that K to 3 space. We’re very serious about investing in that space, teaching and providing that opportunity for children to learn to read so that they can read to learn and feed that learning appetite for years into the future.

Mr. Speaker, there’s much more to go and much more road to travel for us in the education sector. But this is a start, and I would say it’s an important one. And I would say that it’s a place where if not all, virtually all, whether it be parents, whether it be teachers, whether it be school board trustees, whether it be folks involved in the various advocacy organizations in the education space, that we can all agree that higher grade 3 outcomes at that grade 3 level are going to provide for much higher opportunities and much higher aspirations for students — again, who are our children and grandchildren — into the future.

[12:00]

Mr. Speaker, this Speech from the Throne also, like the last one, highlights community safety. It’s pretty straightforward. I think we’ve been very clear with respect to where this government is going from a policy perspective when it comes to community safety: (1) we’re going to provide recovery opportunities, and (2) we’re going to provide every opportunity for the law to be enforced to keep our communities safe. It’s very, very simple.

It’s also what we’ve heard from Saskatchewan people, Mr. Speaker. As I say the poisonous drugs that are in our community are no longer a community away. We see them. I see them at home. Mr. Speaker, I have friends that are struggling with addiction today.

And I don’t think there’s a family that hasn’t been touched in some way, shape, or form with the challenges around mental health, Mr. Speaker, with our children and what they’re facing on a daily basis with telephones and with presidents and whatever that might be. Things are changing so very quickly for all of us, and the information and the changing information is very much an overload. And I think in many cases . . . You know when I was a child, quite frankly our generation was told to grit your teeth and bear it, and that doesn’t work anymore.

And the challenges are very different today for our youth. And they need to be supported, Mr. Speaker, because all too often those mental health challenges can turn very quickly into addictions challenges. There’s not a lot of mulligans with the drugs that are on the streets today when it comes to how quickly an individual can become living in an addictive state, Mr. Speaker.

So our recovery-oriented system of care that was introduced some years ago and continues to be built on with respect to the capacity, over 300 of those intensive addiction recovery beds are in place today. You’re seeing additional access points coming on, Mr. Speaker, first in the urgent care centres.

I said that second door is there to support an access point to addiction recovery, mental health services, Mr. Speaker. That’s new. And that’s a new and innovative way to actually take our family members, our community members, by the hand and ensure that they have the opportunity to access the services that they need as we continue to build those services out.

Mr. Speaker, we’ve talked on the floor of this Assembly about our complex-needs facilities — Saskatoon and Regina, 15 beds each. Prince Albert has requested one. We’re talking with other communities as well as they are seeing, what started as a pilot program, they’re seeing the benefits of that service. Not only in community safety, but also in the opportunity to access recovery services by those that are in it. And we talk often about the percentage of people that will spend a 23‑ or 24‑hour time period in a complex-needs facility, how they are leaving that facility and a percentage of people that are requesting recovery help of some type.

There are three ways out of a complex-needs facility, Mr. Speaker. The first way is a family member comes and picks you up. The second way is the police service, whether it be the RCMP [Royal Canadian Mounted Police] or city municipal police service, come and get you, release you in the same manner as if you were arrested over the evening. The third way out is to self-refer to recovery services.

Over 90 per cent, and in some cases over 96 per cent of those individuals — that may be experiencing the most difficult day in their life, been arrested essentially, are in a complex-needs facility — within 24 hours over 90 per cent are self-referring to recovery services.

Well I would say this: politics aside and partisanship aside, I want to be part of a government and a province that when over 90 per cent of people that may be living without a home, living in an addictive state, Mr. Speaker, are asking for help, it’s on this government to make sure it’s available. And that’s what we’re going to invest in, Mr. Speaker.

Second to that, if we can agree on, and I think we can, that those that are living often with addictions . . . And I think the most recent poll I saw in Saskatoon conducted by the city of Saskatoon was with respect to . . . I think the numbers were over 80 per cent of those that are living without a home are also living a life of addictions. Let’s address the addictions to the degree that we can through these access points through the recovery services.

However we can agree on the fact that living without a house and living in the streets of one of our urban centres, or the parks or the public places, that is the most vulnerable place for someone to be. The best place for that individual to be is in a provincial recovery centre, and so let’s do what we can in providing those access points. But let’s ensure also that when there is criminal behaviour, loitering, vandalism, theft, Mr. Speaker, that we have the enforcement arms in place and the laws in place to ensure that we’re keeping the broader community safe as well, and providing that opportunity for those individuals to access recovery services because that is the safest place for them to be.

And that’s why you are going to see, Mr. Speaker, that’s why you have seen over the last while introductions and working with municipalities on the street weapons Act, safe public spaces Act, is to streamline some of the provincial legislation we have to keep our communities safe for the broader public so that families can go to the park after supper without fear of what might happen to them in that street, Mr. Speaker, with the poisonous drugs that are there.

And that is why you are going to see additional tools come forward in the next number of days as we enter this second session of the thirtieth legislature, Mr. Speaker. And one of those tools is going to be the introduction of the compassionate care Act to ensure that, yet again, those individuals that may be living in our street, conducting criminal activity, or potentially in danger of harming themselves or someone around them, or breaking laws that ultimately are in place to keep the community safe, that they also have an access point and an opportunity for recovery services, Mr. Speaker.

And we’ll be moving on that this session as we continue to provide opportunities for Saskatchewan people to access recovery and to aspire to all that they may have wished to aspire to, prior to entering that addictive state. It’s about providing recovery opportunities, and it’s about keeping the communities that we live in safe, Mr. Speaker.

I think largely, largely there’s a lot of agreement across the floor on all that I have said thus far, Mr. Speaker. There’d be nuanced differences and certainly questions about . . . Operationally in particular in health care, education, there’s going to be questions, Mr. Speaker. But largely, I think K to 3 outcomes is something that we can all agree, that we want to have our K to 3 outcomes as high as possible.

We want to provide recovery services. I’m seeing support more broadly for the entire recovery-oriented system of care plan that is being put forward by the minister. Yes, some nuanced differences, but largely in agreement on how these services need to be provided in the province, Mr. Speaker. We can all agree on, we need to work hard to recruit and retain more health care workers to service the people of Saskatchewan in a post-pandemic environment, while Canada is struggling very much with the same challenges, Mr. Speaker.

Where we will find some points of disagreement is ensuring that the economy remains strong, Mr. Speaker, so that these investments are sustainable not just for one or two years, but are sustainable into the future, decades into the future for your children and our grandchildren, Mr. Speaker. And I think we will find some differences. However the broader goal, I think, very much is going to be the same as well.

And this is an important discussion today, not just in Saskatchewan but around the world. What an uncertain time we live in today. If you go back six, seven years, Mr. Speaker, and you look at what has happened in those last six or seven years, there isn’t anyone that could’ve predicted that. Couldn’t have predicted a global pandemic. Couldn’t have predicted what we saw in not just the first term in the Trump presidency, but what we’re seeing today in really a president and a country that is resetting trade deals with countries all around the world.

The talk of tariffs, Mr. Speaker, tariffs being applied to all sorts of various products just here in Canada from our largest trading partner, but being applied also to many countries around the world.

The indirect consequences that we’re seeing from a country like China, Mr. Speaker, the indirect consequences that are impacting our canola and pulse, pork farmers right here in the prairie provinces. And now we see most recently last night also a conversation that needs to happen with respect to a tariff on yellow peas in India, Mr. Speaker, which we will certainly be engaging on and navigating and have been engaged on even up to and including today.

And so those three countries, those are the three largest markets in the world, and those are our three largest trading partners as well. We have Mexico. We have a number of other countries that we trade substantial amounts with. But largely, if you look at the United States of America, China, and India, you’re looking at 35, $37 billion of exports coming from the province of Saskatchewan to those three markets.

And when people in Canada say, oh, you just need to find another market, I don’t think they understand the level of exporting that happens from our province and from our nation. There is not another market that replaces those three countries, Mr. Speaker, and so I find it . . . I understand the sentiments behind, you know, the elbows up, Mr. Speaker, and the sentiments that we need to move away some of our exports from the United States of America, but we’re trading with the United States of America for a reason. They’re geographically close, they’re a large market, they’re a premium market, and they’re our largest and strongest ally and will continue to be far after President Trump is the president of the United States.

And so we need to be very sensible and, I think, long term in the thoughts that we have and the representation and the words that come out of our mouth in particular as a government, Mr. Speaker, in particular as a government.

Saskatchewan is likely the least dependent on the US [United States] relative to any other province across Canada, because in years gone by there’s been significant efforts by this province to diversify trade to other markets around the world. And those other markets, I think, you can look to first and foremost are those large premium markets where we can sell large amounts of our product for a premium price.

One of them is China, Mr. Speaker. We’ve had discussions with China, tariff-related discussions over the years. I most recently was just there not long ago continuing with those discussions given the indirect consequences we find ourselves in today. But that is a market that we most certainly, from this province’s perspective, need access. That is a market, alongside the United States, that we aren’t going to replace with a few other markets around the world just in volume or in price.

Next to that, I think you can look to markets like India and Mexico. All of these we have trade offices or a significant presence in, Mr. Speaker, provincial trade offices or a significant presence in. In particular in India, I might add, over what has been some troubled relations between India and Canada over the course of the last few years, the highest ranking diplomat in India — over at least the last year and maybe a little bit longer — has been the provincial trade officer from Saskatchewan, and continues today. The highest ranking diplomat.

Mr. Speaker, I bring all of this together because this commitment to that market access, which is extremely challenged globally today, Saskatchewan is very much at the centre of all of these discussions. Just this week at the centre of these discussions we see an $80 billion — to quote the news article — “transformational partnership” with Cameco, with Westinghouse and the United States. Eight to ten reactors are going to . . . North American-built reactors with North American-provided fuel that largely was going to come from Saskatchewan, Mr. Speaker.

Those are opportunities that we have in our province in the medium to long term, and those are opportunities that are coming about because of Saskatchewan’s ability to form those relationships over the course of the last 10 to 15 to 20 years. And that continues today, Mr. Speaker.

And I say that because there’s a difference in that commitment in the parties that are vying to be government in this province, Mr. Speaker. We saw most recently about a year ago when Canada aligned with the United States of America on a 100 per cent tariff on EVs coming from China. Within three days or a week of that decision, we saw China move forward with respect to an anti-dumping study on canola oil and canola meal.

It was at that point in time the Minister of Agriculture wrote his federal counterparts and said, here’s the consequences of what you’re getting yourself into — the only minister, I would say, across the country that had engaged within a week with the federal government and warned of the consequences of the policy decisions that we were undertaking, Mr. Speaker, which have certainly come to fruition since that point in time.

During that point in time we were also prepping for a provincial election here, of which the members opposite actually ran on cutting those international trade offices. At that very point in time, it was Saskatchewan’s trade officer in India that was the most senior diplomat in the country of India on Canada’s behalf, Mr. Speaker. And that is exactly the kind of engagement — whether it be in China, whether it be in India, whether it be in Mexico, whether it be in the United States — that was going to be cut in the most recent campaign.

I’m not saying anything that is not true, Mr. Speaker. They had committed to cutting trade offices around the world. I’m also certainly not saying anything that isn’t true in this House when I say these are the very same opposition members that oppose, virtually every time. This government undertook a trade mission, and this government very much was committed to forming those international relationships by ensuring that we were in the market supporting our international trade offices, supporting our producers, Mr. Speaker, of whatever they might produce in wherever they might sell those wares around the world.

[12:15]

In fact one of the individuals that tweeted out, Mr. Speaker — and I just want the last part of this tweet, and I’ll find it — oh, “leave the trade mission to the exporters and the experts.” Well the pulse exporters today are actually on a flight to China, Mr. Speaker. They are advocating alongside our provincial trade office, which thankfully is open and functioning today as a result of the election a year ago. And I’m sure they’re going to be engaging, with the support of Scott Matthews in our trade office in India, with the government of India very shortly — as will our Ag minister, as will our Trade minister, as will the Premier of this province — continue to engage with that country, Mr. Speaker. So that’s the exporters. They’re over there.

And I would say with the function and what we’re seeing in our trade offices — and I would point back to India, where the highest ranking trade diplomat in India the last year has been the Saskatchewan trade commissioner — that the experts actually are operating in the trade offices, the provincial Saskatchewan trade offices in countries around the world. And so, Mr. Speaker, the experts are from this province, representing this province, and the exporters are in market as well. So that’s exactly what we are doing.

Opposed those trade missions at every opportunity. I think we had 9 or 13 of them here in the last year. We’re going to have at least that over the course of the next year, in a very uncertain time, Mr. Speaker. So the members opposite can continue to commit to cutting those trade offices. They can continue to commit to opposing those trade missions that are there. Or they can flip-flop, Mr. Speaker, and support the government in the work that we are doing on behalf of Saskatchewan residents to ensure that that economy continues to be strong into the future, so that we can put our patients first in the health care system, so that we can put our students first in the health care system, Mr. Speaker, and so that we can put families first in every community across this province.

I want to talk just briefly, and then I’ll wrap up what I think is a . . . I was really excited to come back into the legislature this fall, Mr. Speaker, because with everything that’s going on in the world, Saskatchewan’s just in a very strong position to . . . Yes, we’re going to feel some of the short-term challenges like every other province. And you’re going to see just how significant those challenges are, I think, in the public economics or public finance sector with the federal budget coming out in the next number of days, Mr. Speaker. I think we will have a very evident look at what impact all of the tariffs, trade discussions are having on the public sector finances, Mr. Speaker, and I think you’ll see that with some of the provincial budgets. But I’m excited about where we are in Saskatchewan.

And we’re going to feel some of those financial challenges in the short term because we are so reliant on exporting to 160 countries around the world. However I would say we are as or more resilient than virtually any other province around our nation because of what we actually produce here and the approach that has been taken over the last decade and a half by ensuring that we can continue to produce not only what we are today, but produce more of that product into the future to provide that energy security and food security, not just to other Canadians and other North Americans but to over 160 countries around the world. How have we done that? By not allowing regulation creep, Mr. Speaker.

And this is why over the last decade you have seen us repeatedly at odds with what was a Trudeau Liberal-led government, Mr. Speaker. You saw the members opposite agree time and time again with those policies that continue to be in many ways harmful and continue now, Mr. Speaker, to be discussed at the introduction and passing of Bill C‑5, which is essentially a stopgap. It is a bill so that the federal government can approve projects in what is an unworkable regulatory environment that largely they created, Mr. Speaker.

And so we support that as a stopgap but we need to fix Bill C‑69. We need to remove the emissions cap. We need to re-negotiate the methane emissions cap that they are bringing in, Mr. Speaker. The tanker ban needs to go. And we need to get big things built here, Mr. Speaker, and unleash the Canadian economy in each and every sector by moving forward with support at all levels of government and then, working together as Canadians, to truly move forward on a port-to-port-to-port corridor in this nation, so that all of our products can access not only European markets but Asian markets as well, Mr. Speaker, all of our products including oil that’s being produced here in Saskatchewan as well as in Alberta.

We need to open up the opportunities that we have for the mining sector in this province. And you’re seeing the commitment that this government has had to not layering on regulation after regulation after regulation and making those projects unworkable and unfeasible to be invested in. We have kept that investment environment as solid as anywhere in North America, and I would say largely as solid as anywhere in the world. And that is all coming home to roost now, Mr. Speaker, as you see the interest, the investment flowing, but the interest in additional mining projects coming forward, coming through Bill C‑5, coming through what will hopefully be a more workable regulatory environment federally in the years ahead.

And this is where I think it’s incumbent on us to have a few brief comments with respect to the cost of doing business in this province, in particular the cost of power. Mr. Speaker, we have realigned with respect to our Saskatchewan Power Corporation, our public utility, on how power is going to be provided and what the priorities of that provision is going to be in this province, going to be affordable and it’s going to reliable.

And we are going to continue on our endeavour to ensure that we are utilizing the life cycle of the assets that we have, Mr. Speaker, as we find a way to transition to a nuclear future in this province, whether it’s SMRs [small modular reactor] or quite likely looking at large-scale reactors, as we find our way through this conversation on what is workable, what is affordable for generations into the future, Mr. Speaker.

And we’re going to ensure that we do our level best to be able to transition the workforce, the families that are living in areas of this province that are today producing power, transition that workforce to the way that we are going to produce power into the future. We are going to look for ways to tie into the North American power grid, building transmission infrastructure to the South, looking to the North as well, the potential for the east to west, Mr. Speaker.

But it is going to be affordable, and it is going to be reliable. And you contrast this, Mr. Speaker, with the members opposite who, at their very convention, had motions come forward with respect to getting rid of coal, not using coal. Mr. Speaker, they had motions come forward at their very NDP convention, Mr. Speaker, on not moving forward with a nuclear future, not moving forward with a nuclear future.

So I don’t know what the answer is, Mr. Speaker. I suppose you could build some natural gas plants at 1.4 to $2 billion each. The missing 1000 megawatts is the question for the members opposite, Mr. Speaker. If you’re not going to utilize coal until you can transition to a nuclear future, you’re going to have to build some natural gas plants. They’re 1.4 to $2 billion for every 300, 350 megawatts. You’d need three of them, so we’re 4, 5, $6 billion extra. It’s going to go on the Saskatchewan residents’ bill, Mr. Speaker. And so I would say this: you won’t get them done in time either if your plan is to get rid of coal.

I would say this: under this Saskatchewan Party government, we’re going to have affordable, reliable power. Mr. Speaker, under the members opposite, you’re not going to have reliable power, but at least it’s going to cost you more. Pro-carbon tax, pro-clean fuel standard, don’t want coal, don’t want nuclear — that’s the record of the NDP. Mr. Speaker, to not have reliable power, to not have affordable power, like we have seen in other jurisdictions, Mr. Speaker, where precisely these decisions have been made.

Mr. Speaker, when it comes to the strength of our economy and ensuring that we are attracting that investment that is going to provide jobs into our very communities where we live — whether it be the largest mining company in the world making the single largest mining investment of that mining company’s career in the BHP mine; whether it be the refurbishment and expansion of capacity in each and every existing potash mine across this province; whether it be the renewed and very ambitious interest on uranium mining in this province; whether it be the opportunities that we see as we enter into a nuclear future in the province to enter into opportunities in that supply chain, Mr. Speaker; whether it be other products like helium, like lithium, like the other products that we see starting to come on with innovative technologies being invested in, Mr. Speaker, from around the world.

And I had an opportunity to meet with a number of investors just a few months ago, and you know, there is a lot of interest in the opportunities that lie in Saskatchewan, let me say. And those investors are putting their money where their words are by ensuring that these projects are going to continue to build and move forward into Saskatchewan, going to continue to have the opportunity to, yes, attract people to live here in a Saskatchewan community and have a career, Mr. Speaker.

But what drives myself and many members on this side of the House each and every day is the opportunity for us and for our children to have a career right here in Saskatchewan, maybe in the community where they were raised. And we haven’t always had that opportunity here in Saskatchewan, Mr. Speaker.

In closing — this is the part you’ve all been waiting for — in closing, Mr. Speaker, you are going to see, I think in fairness, very much some points of alignment across the floor. You’ve seen recently and you’re going to see, Mr. Speaker, with the relationship that this government has with the federal government very much some points of alignment as we move forward. It doesn’t mean in any way are we, you know, joining the Liberal booster club or anything of that sort, Mr. Speaker, but it’s addressing the very real challenges that we have as Canadians today.

Over the last decade or so we have had challenges where, in Saskatchewan and the industries that are creating wealth, our federal government has really done things to us that we didn’t like very much, largely with the support of the NDP over the course of that. We mustn’t forget that, Mr. Speaker.

However today we have a different challenge as Canadians. And it’s one that I think requires in many cases for us to come together and find our places of mutual agreement, Mr. Speaker. We see things being done to Canadians and our nation, our way of life, our economy from other world leaders. Yes, we see very much a tariff-ridden discussion with the United States of America, Mr. Speaker. We need to find our way through that discussion through negotiation and through working with the US administration, Mr. Speaker.

I think it’s proving out that for us to be hitting back at an economy and a population 10 times our size may have some repercussions to it. It might be the right approach. I don’t think so. It might be the right approach, Mr. Speaker, but there’s going to be some short-term pain even if you are able to get to that point, Mr. Speaker.

We’re seeing indirect consequences with countries like China. Now we’re seeing engagement that is required with countries like India, Mr. Speaker, and these are all very much, I think, adding to the uncertainty and the unrest that we see globally. And you are going to see this government support the federal government as they have, really I would say, reinvigorated and changed, Mr. Speaker, with respect to their engagement globally under Prime Minister Carney.

And so we’re going to do what we can to find him some success in that international space. And I would say that no province is more poised to be of assistance and support than the province of Saskatchewan, and that most certainly we represent the highest per capita exporting area of not only Canada but North America, Mr. Speaker.

So that’s where you’re going to see some significant differences over the next period of time, is not the goals that we have in health care, not the goals that we have in community safety, and maybe not even the goals that we have in our education sector and with our students, our children, our grandchildren, but how we ensure that it’s going to be paid for and how those investments are going to be sustainable for years into the future, Mr. Speaker. That’s where you will see significant differences between the sides of the House in here, Mr. Speaker.

And you’ll see a governing side that is going to certainly be moving forward on what we’ve heard from Saskatchewan people. And what we’ve heard is we need to make the investments to put our students first. We need to make the investments to put our patients first. We need to make the investments to keep our communities safe and put our families first, Mr. Speaker. And you’re going to see that investment being made time and time and time again.

And what you’re going to see also is, Mr. Speaker, a government that is fully committed to attracting investment into the private sector, into the mining sector, into the oil and gas sector, keeping those non-tariff or low-tariff markets open so that Saskatchewan’s economy can remain strong today and into the future, Mr. Speaker.

And that is how we are going to find long-term success in this province, Mr. Speaker, by continuing to listen to the people of Saskatchewan; continuing to grow our economy, Mr. Speaker; continuing to strengthen that economy; continuing to make the investments in keeping our communities safe; and securing our future by making investments in patients, families, and our children’s future, Mr. Speaker.

With that, Mr. Speaker, I would say that I will not be supporting the opposition amendment, but I will be supporting the main motion that was put forward by the member from Weyburn and, I believe, seconded by the member from Carrot River. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker Goudy: — The question before the Assembly is the proposed amendment moved by the member for Cumberland and seconded by the member for Saskatoon Chief Mistawasis:

That the motion be amended by adding:

And, that the Assembly does not support the agenda outlined in the Speech from the Throne because it fails to include the adequate measures to urgently address the challenges Saskatchewan people face regarding health care, tariffs, the cost of living, housing, and public safety; and further,

That the Assembly has lost confidence in the government.

Is it the pleasure of the Assembly to adopt the amendment?

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Some Hon. Members: — No.

Speaker Goudy: — Those in favour say aye.

Some Hon. Members: — Aye.

Speaker Goudy: — Call in the members.

[The division bells rang from 12:30 until 12:31.]

Speaker Goudy: — All those in favour of the amendment please stand.

[Yeas — 25]

Beck

Ritchie

Burki

Nippi-Albright

Mowat

Wotherspoon

Teed

Young, A.

Clarke

Laliberte

McPhail

ChiefCalf

Sarauer

Breckner

Blakley

Grewal

Conway

Brar

Gordon

Warrington

Pratchler

Housser

Senger

Roy

McBean

Speaker Goudy: — All of those opposed to the amendment please stand.

[Nays — 32]

Moe

Harrison, D.

Kaeding

Marit

Cockrill

Reiter

Hindley

Harrison, J.

Jenson

Young, C.

Cheveldayoff

Keisig

Thorsteinson

Martens

Hilbert

Steele

Schmalz

Ross

McLeod, T.

Carr

Wilson

Weedmark

Beaudry

McLeod, B.

Kropf

Weger

Patterson

Bromm

Rowden

Chan

Gartner

Kasun

Clerk Assistant: — Mr. Speaker, those in favour of the amendment, 25; those opposed to the amendment, 32.

Speaker Goudy: — I declare the amendment lost. The question before the Assembly is the main motion moved by the member for Weyburn-Bengough and seconded by the member from Carrot River Valley:

That an humble address be presented to Her Honour the Lieutenant Governor as follows:

To Her Honour the Honourable Bernadette McIntyre, Lieutenant Governor of the province of Saskatchewan.

May it please Your Honour:

We, His Majesty’s dutiful and loyal subjects, the Legislative Assembly of the province of Saskatchewan in session assembled, humbly thank Your Honour for the gracious speech which Your Honour has been pleased to address to us at the opening of the present session.

Is it the pleasure of the Assembly to adopt the motion?

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Some Hon. Members: — No.

Speaker Goudy: — Those in favour say aye.

Some Hon. Members: — Aye.

Speaker Goudy: — Those opposed please say no.

Some Hon. Members: — No.

Speaker Goudy: — Call in the members.

[The division bells rang from 12:36 until 12:37.]

Speaker Goudy: — All of those in favour of the motion please stand.

[Yeas — 32]

Moe

Harrison, D.

Kaeding

Marit

Cockrill

Reiter

Hindley

Harrison, J.

Jenson

Young, C.

Cheveldayoff

Keisig

Thorsteinson

Martens

Hilbert

Steele

Schmalz

Ross

McLeod, T.

Carr

Wilson

Weedmark

Beaudry

McLeod, B.

Kropf

Weger

Patterson

Bromm

Rowden

Chan

Gartner

Kasun

Speaker Goudy: — All of those opposed to the motion please stand.

[Nays — 25]

Beck

Ritchie

Burki

Nippi-Albright

Mowat

Wotherspoon

Teed

Young, A.

Clarke

Laliberte

McPhail

ChiefCalf

Sarauer

Breckner

Blakley

Grewal

Conway

Brar

Gordon

Warrington

Pratchler

Housser

Senger

Roy

McBean

Clerk Assistant: — Mr. Speaker, those in favour of the motion, 32; those opposed to the motion, 25.

Speaker Goudy: — I declare the motion carried. I recognize the Government House Leader.

Hon. Tim McLeod: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move that this House do now adjourn.

Speaker Goudy: — It has been moved that this Assembly do now adjourn. Is it the pleasure of the Assembly to adopt the motion?

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Speaker Goudy: — Carried. This Assembly now stands adjourned until Monday at 1:30 p.m. Thank you all.

[The Assembly adjourned at 12:42.]

Published under the authority of the Hon. Todd Goudy, Speaker

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